05-06-2010, 11:10 AM
DURHAM, N.H. -- At a meeting today, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Northern Shrimp Section took emergency action to approve an early closure for the 2009/2010 northern shrimp season. In response to the Section's decision to close the fishery, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Executive Director Glenn Normandeau announced that the northern shrimp season in New Hampshire waters will be closed as of Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at 11:59 p.m., in accordance with RSA 211:62 V.
The closure is necessary to avoid significant landings overages that would likely occur if the shrimp harvest had continued through the end of the season on May 29. Preliminary landings data showed that the northern shrimp harvest for the season had already exceeded the 4,900 metric-ton harvest limit recommended by the Northern Shrimp Technical Committee last fall. Projections provided by the Technical Committee indicated landing could go as high as 5,900 metric ton if the early closure was not implemented.
"The commercial shrimp fleet had good catches this year due to the high abundance levels of shrimp over the past three years," said Doug Grout, Chairman of the Northern Shrimp Section. "We needed to take this action today to maintain the population level in future years."
New Hampshire shrimp harvesters with questions about the closure may contact New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Marine Chief Doug Grout at 603-868-1095.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission was formed by the 15 Atlantic coastal states in 1942 for the promotion and protection of coastal fishery resources. The Commission serves as a deliberative body of the Atlantic coastal states, coordinating the conservation and management of nearshore fishery resources, including marine, shell and anadromous species. Visit http://www.asmfc.org.
The closure is necessary to avoid significant landings overages that would likely occur if the shrimp harvest had continued through the end of the season on May 29. Preliminary landings data showed that the northern shrimp harvest for the season had already exceeded the 4,900 metric-ton harvest limit recommended by the Northern Shrimp Technical Committee last fall. Projections provided by the Technical Committee indicated landing could go as high as 5,900 metric ton if the early closure was not implemented.
"The commercial shrimp fleet had good catches this year due to the high abundance levels of shrimp over the past three years," said Doug Grout, Chairman of the Northern Shrimp Section. "We needed to take this action today to maintain the population level in future years."
New Hampshire shrimp harvesters with questions about the closure may contact New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Marine Chief Doug Grout at 603-868-1095.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission was formed by the 15 Atlantic coastal states in 1942 for the promotion and protection of coastal fishery resources. The Commission serves as a deliberative body of the Atlantic coastal states, coordinating the conservation and management of nearshore fishery resources, including marine, shell and anadromous species. Visit http://www.asmfc.org.