News

NOAA Considering Letting Fishermen Take Endangered Skate

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Federal fishing managers are considering allowing commercial fishermen to take a species of endangered skate that is currently prohibited.

Fishermen catch skates for use as food and bait on both coasts. They are currently prohibited from possessing barndoor skates, or bringing them to shore. Barndoor skates are considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says proposed changes to the skate fishery include an allowance for limited possession of barndoor skates. The new rules weren’t yet in place on May 1, which was the start of the new fishing year, and the skates are still prohibited at the moment.

Barndoor skates are found from Canada to North Carolina. Their populations declined heavily decades ago due to overfishing, but they’ve recovered somewhat since.

Latest Headlines

8 hours ago in Trending, World

King Charles III strips Prince Andrew of titles and evicts him from royal residence

King Charles III on Thursday stripped his disgraced brother Prince Andrew of his remaining titles and evicted him from his royal residence after weeks of pressure to act over his relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Buckingham Palace said.

12 hours ago in Local

Lobster Population Drops in New England, Overfishing Declared

A regulatory agency says lobster stock has declined by 34% since 2018

12 hours ago in Local

Maine Network Ends Primary Care After Medicaid Cut from Trump Admin.

Maine Family Planning operates 18 clinics in the state

22 hours ago in Local

Brunswick Police: Woman Rammed Cruiser, Led High Speed Chases Before Arrest

The suspect was denied bail because of underlying bail conditions.

22 hours ago in Local

York Hospital Seeks Merger With MaineHealth

The hospital says the merger process could take more than a year and will involve multiple steps.