Maine shrimp fishermen fear the shrimp fishing season might be as short as two days this year.

At a December 3 meeting, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Northern Shrimp Section set this year’s limits for the shrimp fishery, and the total allowable catch has been reduced.

The commission’s scientists said the shrimp stock showed a significant decrease, and in response they lowered the total allowable catch to 625 metric tons from 2211 metric tons last year. Some fishermen refuted the commission’s claim, saying that if the science is accurate, they probably shouldn’t have a fishery at all.

Others were glad for any chance to fish. "I want to thank you for giving us a season this winter," David Osier of Osier's Seafood said at the meeting.

Trawlers begin their season officially on January 22 and trappers will start their season on February 5. Out of 625 metric tons, trawlers will have 539 and those who trap shrimp will have 80 metric tons. Once fishermen have reached their limit, the fishery closes, which fishermen said might take only a few days. 

This past season, the Maine shrimp industry had about a 40-day window to haul. Trawlers started on January 2 and trappers started on February 1. The season was cut short on February 17 when it became apparent landings would exceed the total catch limit of 2211 metric tons.

More on shrimp fishing:

A short-lived shrimp fishing season

The science behind shrimp regulations