Seven residents hold commercial fishing permits, primarily for halibut and other groundfish. Dogfish and skate rebounded in the 1970s, while groundfish and flounder declined. The Council endorses a Fishery Management Plan that corresponds to groundfish, crab, salmon, scallop, etc. Demersal fish are also known as bottom feeders and groundfish. A modern government wharf serves a small lobster and groundfish fleet. It was requested in 1999 that groundfish trawlers voluntarily avoid sponge reefs. At Akranes HB Grandi operates another groundfish processing plant. The depletion of groundfish stocks has negatively affected local fish processing operations in recent decades. However, the groundfish, especially haddock, yellowtail flounder, and cod, have been overfished. The primary target species is pollock, but crabs, salmon, and groundfish are also important. Additional protection for scallops was given closing parts of Georges Bank to groundfish fishing. Bottom fishing targets groundfish such as sucker fish, bream, catfish, and crappie. Four residents hold a commercial fishing permit, primarily for groundfish. One prominent species in the Station's research has been the groundfish. Other resources gathered include groundfish, scallops, shrimp, clams, mussels, quahogs, and bloodworms.