PORTLAND – Shrimp fishermen will be able to cast their nets for 151 days during the upcoming northern shrimp season, 11 days longer than last year.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s shrimp committee on Monday approved a season that will run from Dec. 1 through April 30, 2007.

“Our efforts to reduce fishing mortality in the early 2000s have led to a greater abundance of shrimp and record catches in the Gulf of Maine summer survey,” said Chairman Ritchie White. “By expanding the upcoming fishing season, we are able to pass on the benefits of an improved resource by providing new harvesting and marketing opportunities.”

Northern shrimp provide a small but valuable fishery to fishermen across New England, especially in Maine.

After several boom shrimp fishing years in the 1990s, shrimp stocks fell – forcing the commission to shorten the season for shrimp fishermen. The season was just 25 days in 2002-03, 38 days in 2003-04 and 70 days in 2004-05 before it was doubled to 140 days last season.