PORTLAND (AP) — Maine’s money-making baby eel fishery is having a much stronger year as favorable weather has allowed fishermen to capture their quarry.

The eels are sold to Asian aquaculture companies and eventually become food such as sushi. Maine has the only significant fishery for baby eels, called elvers, in the country.

The elvers sometimes sell for more than $2,000 per pound. But last year, fishermen caught less than 5,300 pounds of them. Fishermen have already caught more than that this year.

State Rep. Jeffrey Pierce, a Dresden Republican, says he expects fishermen to catch their entire quota by the middle of May. The quota is a little less than 10,000 pounds. The season lasts until June 7.

Last year’s fishery was impeded by cold temperatures and harsh, lingering winter weather.