December 6th, 2016 — The following was released by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department:
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the NH Fish and Game Department are seeking one shrimp trawling vessel and captain to collect northern shrimp samples in the MA/NH area (Northern Massachusetts to Boon Island), beginning in mid- January, 2017, fishing once a week for eight weeks until mid- March. The participant will be required to have an observer, and will be allowed to land and sell up to 1,200 pounds of northern shrimp per trip. There will be no further compensation. Selection preference will be given to applicants using a size-sorting grate (designed to release small shrimp). Highest selection preference will go to applicants who will participate in a compound grate study.
The purpose of the project is to collect northern shrimp samples during the winter period when the shrimp are in inshore waters, to collect data on the timing of the egg hatch, and the size, gender, and developmental stage of the shrimp. We also hope to collect data on the performance of the compound size-sorting grate.
Please see the attached announcements for details on the project, how to apply, the application deadline (Dec. 19, 2016), and the selection process.
Robert Eckert
Marine Fisheries Division
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
225 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824
603-868-1095, Robert.Eckert@wildlife.nh.gov