May 27, 2014 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Northern Shrimp Section will meet on June 4, 2014 from 1 – 4 PM at the Urban Forestry Center, 45 Elwyn Road, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The Section will review the results of the peer review of the 2013 benchmark stock assessment and discuss the future management of northern shrimp. Meeting materials can be accessed at http://www.asmfc.org/files/Meetings/NShrimpSection_June2014.pdf. Additional materials on the results of the 2014 northern shrimp test tows can be accessed at http://www.maine.gov/dmr/rm/shrimp/2014testtows.htm.
In December 2013, based on the findings of the 2013 stock assessment update, the Northern Shrimp Section established a moratorium for the 2014 fishing season to protect the remaining spawning population and reduce pressure on the collapsed stock. The Section noted that due to recruitment failure for the past three years, it is possible that the moratorium could extend beyond one year. For more information, please contact Marin Hawk, Fishery Management Coordinator, at 703.842.0740.