PORTLAND, Maine (AP) The federal government is canceling a research survey about New England’s imperiled shrimp fishery because of challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Maine shrimp fishery has been shut down for several years because of concerns such as poor survival of young. Scientists have said environmental conditions in the Gulf of Maine have put the future of the fishery at risk.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was scheduled to perform a research survey about the fishery this year, but announced its cancellation this week. The agency said it’s also canceling a handful of other research surveys off the East Coast and Gulf Coast because of “uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the unique challenges those are creating for NOAA Fisheries.”
The shrimp were once a popular winter seafood item. Fishermen also harvested them in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
The pandemic has caused numerous difficulties for fishermen and the seafood industry in New England. Some relate to the disruption of the international seafood supply chain.
