Regulators to Decide About Extending Maine Shrimp Shutdown

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) — Interstate regulators will decide next month about whether to extend a moratorium on fishing for Maine shrimp.

The shrimp fishery has been shut down since the end of 2013 because of low populations. Scientists say warming ocean temperatures are inhospitable for the shrimp.

An arm of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission that deals with Maine shrimp will meet to consider the future of the fishery on Nov. 10 in Portsmouth. It is expected to set specifications for the 2017 fishing year on that day.

Fishermen sought the shrimp in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire when the fishery was open. They were a popular item in restaurants, supermarkets and seafood markets before the fishing shutdown.