An Act To Provide For The Sustainable Management Of Marine Resources And Create A Noncommercial Northern Shrimp License

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Holly Eaton

Summary of LD 1176: An Act To Provide For The Sustainable Management Of Marine Resources And Create A Noncommercial Northern Shrimp License Purpose and IntentThe primary purpose of

Signed by Governor

#emergingfisheryendorsements #fish #fisheries

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of LD 1176 is to promote the sustainable management of Maine's marine resources, with a specific focus on the northern shrimp fishery. The bill aims to create a new noncommercial northern shrimp license to allow limited recreational shrimping while ensuring the long-term viability of the shrimp population.

Key Provisions

Noncommercial Northern Shrimp License: The bill establishes a new noncommercial northern shrimp license that allows individuals to harvest a limited quantity of northern shrimp for personal consumption. The license fee will be set at a nominal cost.

Catch Limits and Gear Restrictions: Noncommercial license holders will be subject to daily and annual catch limits, as well as restrictions on the type of gear that can be used. These measures are intended to prevent overfishing and protect the shrimp population.

Suspension of Commercial Shrimping: The bill temporarily suspends commercial fishing of northern shrimp until the stock can be rebuilt to sustainable levels. This pause in commercial activity is a conservation measure to allow the shrimp population to recover.

Scientific Research and Monitoring: The legislation directs the Maine Department of Marine Resources to conduct ongoing scientific research and monitoring of the northern shrimp population. This data will inform future management decisions and ensure the sustainable use of the resource.

Affected Parties and Impact

Recreational Shrimpers: The new noncommercial northern shrimp license will provide limited opportunities for individuals to engage in recreational shrimping for personal use.

Commercial Shrimpers: The temporary suspension of commercial shrimping activities will have a significant economic impact on those who rely on the northern shrimp fishery for their livelihoods. However, the measure is intended to promote the long-term sustainability of the resource.

Maine's Coastal Communities: The sustainable management of the northern shrimp fishery is crucial for the ecological and economic health of Maine's coastal communities, which depend on the state's marine resources.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

LD 1176 was introduced in the Maine Legislature on March 20, 2025 and has been signed into law by the Governor.

The noncommercial northern shrimp license will be implemented starting in the 2026 fishing season.

The suspension of commercial shrimping will remain in effect until the Maine Department of Marine Resources determines that the shrimp population has recovered to sustainable levels, at which point the commercial fishery may be reopened.