PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — January 26, 2014 — A new report from the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries released on Friday quantifies the economic problems facing fishermen in the Northeast today.
It is the third year NOAA Fisheries has released the report on the economic performance of vessels active in the Northeast groundfish fishery. The latest report is based on the 2012 fishing year, which ran from May 2012-April 2013.
Landings and revenues were lower in 2012 than in 2011. This was not unexpected given quota reductions in many important groundfish stocks.
According to the report, landings were down 5.4 percent and revenues dropped 7.7 percent, or $25.3 million, for all fish landed from 2011.
There were fewer active vessels, fewer and slightly longer trips, and continued concentration of revenues onto the highest-earning vessels, according to the report.
Read the full story at the New Hampshire Union Leader