Julia Eisen – WMAL News | October 2, 2023
Maryland is known for its blue crabs — but now, shrimpers are out on the Eastern Shore and parts of Southern Maryland.
Fishermen have seen an increase in shrimp caught in their nets along Maryland waters over the last couple of years. In 2021, the Maryland General Assembly approved a pilot program to allow fishermen to start shrimping. In 2022, additional legislation was passed to allow specific shrimping equipment in Maryland waters. However, the 2023 season is the first full season that fishermen have a chance to shrimp.
Shrimp have moved up the coast from Louisiana to the Carolinas and to Virginia over the last several years. Mike Luisi with the Maryland Department of Fishing and Boating Services says a likely cause is the heating of the ocean.
“You know the climate being what it is and the warming of the waters, it probably provides shrimp the food source and the habitat it needs to survive,” Luisi told WMAL News.
As for profit, that’s up for discussion.
“We’re excited about what fishermen are able to catch, whether there’s enough shrimp there to make a profit and to sustain a business is yet to be determined,” Luisi said.
The program will be tightly managed so the ecosystem will not be impacted harshly. Fishermen will have to notify the state 48 hours in advance before setting sail.
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