Lasting all winter, Seacoast residents can  enjoy an abundance of fresh northern shrimp, a sustainable local resource, and help support the state’s commercial fishing industry. Northern shrimp caught in the Gulf of Maine provide fishermen with an alternative to groundfish during the winter months when offshore fishing is more dangerous, explains Ken La Valley, University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension commercial fishing specialist. Northern shrimp move in close to shore during cold weather, allowing fishermen to stay in safer waters, conserve fuel and save their days at sea for groundfishing in better weather conditions.

A growing interest in fresh, local seafood has brought about community supported fishery (CSF) initiatives to the Seacoast and the new New Hampshire Fresh and Local seafood brand, La Valley said. Modeled after community-supported agriculture, a CSF is a shore-side community of people collaborating with local fishermen to buy fish or seafood directly for a predetermined  length of time. CSF shareholders give the fishermen financial support and then receive a weekly share of seafood caught during the season.

Currently, there are many ways to purchase northern shrimp and support the industry. Individuals can join an eight week shrimp CSF through the Yankee Fisherman’s Cooperative. Shareholders will receive five or 10 pounds of fresh shrimp per and may choose from several pick-up locations. For more information, visit www.yankeefish.com. Consumers, retailers and wholesalers may also buy. The Andersons, a fishing family out of Rye, New Hampshire  are selling shrimp in volume (100-pound totes) directly from their boat, the F/V Rimrack. For more information, call 603-343-1500. In addition, local fresh fish markets and winter’s farmer’s markets near the Seacoast will offer northern. Organizations such as Seacoast Eat Local offer information about eating locally grown and harvested food at www.seacoasteatlocal.org. To ensure the shrimp is part of the New Hampshire Fresh and Local brand and harvested by a local fishermen, visit www.nhseafood.com for a list of participating business.