Trawler Limits Protect Herring

January 04, 2007

Ellsworth American
By Lauren Simmons

SOUTHWEST HARBOR Midwater trawl boats will be turning tail and heading south this June.

The recent adoption of Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan will prohibit the trawler fleet from entering inshore Gulf of Maine waters between June 1 and Sept. 30, the critical period when herring are schooled over spawning grounds.

The seasonal ban is a sizeable victory for both fishermen and ecotourist businesses alike. Both raised numerous concerns over the size of the remaining inshore herring population and the effects of midwater trawls on that biome.

Click for full story