Record Low Shrimp Season

The 2012-13 shrimp season has proven to be the worst in decades. In addition to making it unprofitable for fishermen, infrastructure- processors and markets for northern shrimp have sustained losses over the years.

Fishermen's Voice Chart

Cuts in the length of the season in the 1990’s undermined processing and markets for northern shrimp have been struggling to recover ever since. The stock was beginning to look better, but the last two years have proven otherwise.

Scientists are targeting higher water temperatures in the Gulf of Maine as a significant factor in drastically reduced harvest.

Originally the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) had the cut off pint for the season based on quota. When the quota was reach the season would end. However, so little shrimp was being landed they moved to a cut-off date to end the season.

Maggie Hunter at the Maine DMR noted the surface water temperature statistics that have been gathered at Boothbay Harbor since 1905. Fluctuating water temperatures in the Gulf are known to scientists, the 1950’s in particular was a warm spell.

However, the Boothbay Harbor records reveal a steady warming trend in surface waters that likely has effected the northern shrimp which are at their southern most comfort zone in the Gulf of Maine. The 108 year record of Boothbay Harbor surface water temperatures can be seen at fishermensvoice.com The dated records are in columns.