New England Shrimp Industry to Remain Closed Indefinitely

Warming Waters in the Gulf of Maine Continue to Decimate Shrimp Population Despite Fishing Moratorium

New England's shrimp industry, primarily based in Maine, will remain indefinitely closed due to unfavorable environmental conditions caused by warming waters.
The industry, which produced small, pink shrimp that were a winter delicacy in New England and across the country, has been in a moratorium since 2013.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, which regulates the industry, voted to keep the moratorium in place but will continue to monitor the shrimp population and may consider reopening the fishery if the shrimp population approaches a healthy level.
The Gulf of Maine, where the shrimp live, is warming faster than other areas of the ocean, causing the shrimp population to continue to decline despite no fishing mortality.
Some U.S. fishermen have advocated for new management approaches to save the shrimp fishery, and the shrimp panel voted to investigate the possibility of an industry-based research program.