Federal regulators cut deeper into the fishing days of Maine’s groundfish fleet Monday, but also restored hope that the industry can survive long enough to see fish populations, and catches, rebuild.
"We must not allow our proud and vital fishing communities to fail," NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco said Monday while announcing compromise restrictions for the fishing year that begins May 1.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reduced the industry’s days at sea by 18 percent, leaving the typical boat with 39 fishing days in the year beginning May 1. But it dropped a much more draconian proposal that would have effectively left Maine boats with as few as 20 fishing days.