PORTLAND — The states of Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts are seeking four shrimp trawling vessels to collect samples for research this winter.

Starting in January, participants will fish in the Gulf of Maine about every two weeks until the shrimp are no longer carrying eggs, perhaps until the middle of March.

There is a total of $10,000 available. Each participant will be required to make five research trips and will get $500 per trip. They also will be allowed to land and sell up to 1,800 pounds of shrimp per trip.

The project’s goal is to collect data on shrimp size, gender and development, and the timing of their egg hatchings.

The Gulf of Maine shrimp fishing season has been shut down for two years because of a population collapse.