New Englands shrimp industry is struggling, with fishermen catching few in 2025

New England shrimp fishermen face a potential five-year extension of their moratorium as regulatory officials prepare for a December meeting to assess the shrimp population's status. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission noted that environmental conditions in the Gulf of Maine remain unfavorable for northern shrimp, contributing to a decline that has persisted for over a decade. Limited winter sampling this past season produced disappointing results, with fishermen catching few shrimp. In the early 2010s, Maine alone harvested more than 10 million pounds of shrimp annually, but the catch has plummeted since 2013. The commission's recent regulatory changes recognize the influence of climate change on stock productivity and reflect ongoing concerns about the shrimp population's health.

Fishermen from Massachusetts and New Hampshire also participated in this once-iconic fishery, which is now at risk. The commission's upcoming decisions will significantly impact the future of the shrimp industry in the region. As climate change continues to affect marine ecosystems, the fate of the northern shrimp remains in jeopardy.