May 18, 2023 — Citing an “extremely low” catch limit for Gulf of Maine haddock this fishing season, fisheries regulators in New England are asking the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to ease the restrictions in the interests of commercial fishermen.
In a statement issued April 20, the New England Fishery Management Council, which oversees fishing issues for the region, said the catch limit for the season that began May 1 is 1,936 metric tons, an 84 percent drop from last year.
But now the council wants to give fishermen a reprieve, citing a rebound in haddock stock and after hearing concerns at the panel’s meeting last month in Mystic, Conn.