Gulf of Maine Shrimp 2010 - 2011

[johnnyd]

Shrimp season started December 1st. The weather was crappy but a few boats made it in for the first retail day in Portland's Old Port.

I bought about 2lbs whole shrimp for $3.83. Headless shrimp sells for $4.99 and peeled shrimp sells for $5.99/lb at Harbor Fish Market.

Yesterday's article in Village Soup HERE

"They are sweet, little plump pieces of candy," said Jay Villani, chef owner of Local 188 and Sonny's restaurants in Portland.

Villani said if the weather holds, he expects the shrimp to start appearing on his menus by Sunday. They will continue to make regular appearances in empanadas, risottos and other dishes until the season closes, now scheduled for April 15.

[HungryChris]

Looking forward to getting some. I only recently realized they ended last season early. I wondered why they suddenly dissapeared from the markets.

HC

[crinoidgirl]

Yummm. This makes me wonder if there's any way to get them here in Michigan.

[johnnyd]

Bangor Daily News - Maine Shrimp Season In Full Swing

Includes some good looking recipes.

Here are occasional real-time facebook reports from Captain Libby on the S/V Skipper.

He reports larger shrimp in this morning's haul:

Port Clyde Fresh Catch

[Chris Amirault]

Might need to swing by the market tonight and see what's what.

That curry dish in the Bangor Daily News seems a bit too much for the little buggers....

[johnnyd]

Might need to swing by the market tonight and see what's what.

That curry dish in the Bangor Daily News seems a bit too much for the little buggers....

Depends how old the Maine shrimp is if you find them at your market. The boats are fishing heavily starting y'day so I wouldn't buy any until tonight and tomorrow

[johnnyd]

Local news outlet Village Soup features Port Clyde Fresh Catch who are co-ordinating shrimp fisherman to supply a healthy local market.

This article has a picture of a loaded drag net FULL of fresh shrimp. This year's harvest is particularly good.

Please report Gulf of Maine shrimp sightings in your local market here!

[johnnyd]

Fresh off the boat,

Freshly steamed,

...and peeled,

[kbjesq]

Those look absolutely delicious, johnnyd. From the photo, the shells appear thin and soft. Have you tried eating them without removing the shell? I would just remove the legs and any sharp points on the head or tail. I especially like the way that shrimp shells hold onto seasoning or sauce. Yum.

Also if you post any more photos (please do!) can you include a ruler or some other point of reference to show the size?

[Pierogi]

Dayum.

Oh Lord, those are gorgeous.

[Paul Bacino]

Is the best way to get them is Shell on? Suggestions Please. The peeled/cooked looked pretty darn good and easy to eat?

Paul

[johnnyd]

The bowl is 10" across. They are about 40 shrimp per pound at this point in the season.

I like to get them whole this close to the harvester, but I'd buy them peeled if your in a metropolitan area.

[johnnyd]

Video: Marine regulators may shut down shrimp fishery early

[emannths]

These little guys are excellent eaten raw, ama-ebi style. Just peel a bunch of them and eat them with a little vinegared rice, nori, shoyu, and wasabi.

For those who can't watch the video at work, here's what the AP says:

Officials with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission have scheduled an emergency phone meeting Friday to consider shutting down the season — possibly next week — for the second year in a row because the harvest is fast approaching the 8.8-million pound target set by scientists last fall.

Full story here.

[johnnyd]

Port Clyde based harvesters distribute local shrimp to the following locations outside Maine:

Fiddleheads Natural Foods, CT

City Market Food Coop, VT

Healthy Living Market, VT

Putney Food Coop, VT

Wild Oats Coop, MA

River Valley Market, MA

Marlow and Daughter, NY

Park Slope Food Coop, NY

HURRY: Season ends Friday!!

Correction: Maine DMR says season ends February 23rd if stock assessment and fishing quota is as predicted.

Edited February 17, 2011 by johnnyd (log)

[emannths]

Update (now appears official): Season to end Feb 28.