Herring ban affects lobstermen
New limits on herring fishing are hurting Maine lobstermen, according to the Associated Press.
The lobster industry is estimated to use about 60,000 metric tons of herring a year as lobster bait, but this year commercial harvesters are banned for stretches of the month from landing Atlantic herring on the western half of the Gulf of Maine to protect the herring population. Lobstermen have in the past imported herring from Canada to supplement their bait. The industry has also relied on other fish like pogies and redfish, though supplies of those alternatives are too low this year to make up for the loss of herring, the AP reported.
On Sept. 24, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Herring Section will meet to decide if additional banned days are necessary.
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