USA: Regulators keeping Maine eel fishery quota flat

Published 2024년 2월 16일

Tridge summary

Despite preliminary data showing an abundance of eels, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASFMC) has decided to maintain the current quota of 9,688 pounds for the Maine elver fishery for the next few years. The quota was set during a 'gold rush' period in 2012 and 2013 when the value of the eels spiked. Although the American eel stock is depleted, recent assessments show a robust elver population. The ASFMC had considered reducing the quota by 21.8 percent but decided against it. Meanwhile, the Maine Department of Marine Resources has announced a lottery for 16 new licenses for the fishery.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASFMC) is planning to maintain the same quota in the Maine elver fishery for at least the next few years, even as preliminary data indicates an abundance of the eels.Maine’s elver, or glass eel, fishery has grown to be the state’s second-most valuable fishery, earning USD 20.1 million (EUR 18.7 million) in 2022 and USD 19.3 million (EUR 18.1 million) in 2023, with an average price per pound of USD 2,031 (EUR 1,894). Each year, the fishery has a quota of 9,688 pounds. That quota stems from a “gold rush” period in 2012 and 2013, when values for the small eels spiked and fishermen caught significantly more elvers than at any other time in the fishery’s history. In 2012, fishermen landed 21,611 pounds of elvers with a value of over USD 40 million (EUR 37 million), which, adjusted for inflation, is USD 52 million (EUR 48 million) today. The next year, fishermen caught over 18,000 pounds worth almost USD 33 million (EUR 30 million). That ...

Source: Seafoodsource