PORTLAND, Maine (AP)   Maine fishermen might be allowed to catch millions more baby eels next year.

Baby eels, called elvers, are worth more than $1,000 per pound at the docks in Maine because of the role they play in Asian aquaculture. Maine’s the only state with a significant fishery for elvers.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is considering new rules for the fishery on Tuesday. The commission limits Maine fishermen to 9,688 pounds of elvers per year, but new rules could increase that total to 11,479 pounds. There are more than 2,000 elvers in a pound.

Members of the eel fishing industry are calling for the added quota because of years of stewardship to keep the elver population healthy.

The elver season begins next month. They’re fished from rivers and streams.