New England's shrimp industry is struggling, with fishermen catching few in 2025

"Fishermen have been under a moratorium on catching shrimp for more than a decade because of low population levels that scientists have attributed to climate change and warming oceans. The harvesters were allowed to catch a small number of shrimp this past winter as part of an industry-funded sampling and data collection program. The fishermen didn't catch much though, and recent changes allow regulators to extend the moratorium for five years at a time instead of just one, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission officials said Monday."

"Regulators will meet in December to determine whether to extend the moratorium, said Chelsea Tuohy, a fishery management plan coordinator with the commission. Tuohy said it's possible regulators will "consider another winter sampling program." However, the "continued poor condition of the northern shrimp stock has resulted in uncertainties in the future status of" the seafood, the commission said in documents earlier this year. "Environmental conditions continue to be unfavorable for northern shrimp in the Gulf of Maine," the commission said."

Northern shrimp in New England have experienced more than a decade of depleted populations attributed by scientists to climate change and warming oceans. Fishermen were allowed a limited winter catch as part of an industry-funded sampling and data collection program, but catches were minimal. Regulators can now extend the shrimp fishing moratorium in five-year increments and will meet in December to decide on another extension. Officials may consider another winter sampling program. Commission documents report continued poor stock condition and unfavorable environmental conditions in the Gulf of Maine, creating uncertainties about the fishery's future.

Read at Boston.com