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Maine Public Broadcasting Network: Regulators Approve Deep Cuts to Herring Fishery |
Fishery regulators yesterday approved deep cuts in the allowable
herring harvest next year. At a meeting yesterday in Newport, R.I., the
New England Fishery Management Council voted to cut the overall herring
catch from 194,000 metrictons allowed this year to 109,000 metric tons,
a drop of about 45 percent. The new limits take effect early next year,
according to the Portland Press Herald.
Maine marineo fficials say the cut will hurt the herring fishery as well as lobstermen whorely on the fish for bait. But conservationists are praising the decision.
"While these cuts will provide a short-term economic challenge, they willallow the best chance of maintaining healthy herring populations for theshort-, medium- and long-term," says Peter Baker, Atlantic Herring campaign manager for the Pew Environment Group, in a statement.
The council also decided to provide better monitoring of the herring fishery,to make sure large herring trawlers aren't inadvertantly catching depletedgroundfish, such as cod.
Lobster industry representatives told the paper that the new catch limits onherring could result in a bait shortage and high bait prices. Scientists calledfor the limits because the health of the herring population is uncertain, thepaper reports.
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