May 24, 2023 — The Gulf of Maine is now on a federal overfishing watchlist after a group of scientists found the haddock population is on the decline.
As a result of the population decline showed in the survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has limited the amount of haddock New England fishermen can catch this season.
Now, the New England Fishery Management Council estimating fishing season will close as early as August.
But fishermen said they are seeing an increase in the highly demanded fish this season, not a decrease, and they are questioning the science behind the survey.
In an effort to protect the fish and the fishermen, the New England Fishery Management Council has asked NOAA to increase the limit.