To solidify Maine’s leadership in floating offshore wind energy and collaborate with Maine’s fisheries on the industry’s development, Governor Janet Mills today announced the State’s plan to create the country’s first floating offshore wind research … Continue reading
RODA Give Fishermen Clout as Wind Developments Increase
It’s a big wide ocean out there, or at least that is a common perspective. The surface of the Gulf of Maine stretches for hundreds of nautical miles, uninterrupted by man-made structures larger than a … Continue reading
Guest Column: Marketing Campaign Boosts Maine Lobster
As we approach the end of 2020, a year most of us are glad to see go, it’s a good time to review the results of the Maine lobster marketing program.As background, the Maine Lobster … Continue reading
Maine Right Whale Court Case on Hold Until May
On November 16, 2020, Judge Lance Walker ordered a temporary stay in the lawsuit led by Max Strahan, aka Man Against Xtinction, in September 2019 in U.S. District court in Bangor. Strahan had brought suit … Continue reading
Massachusetts Proposes New Regulations to Protect Right Whales in State Waters
In January 2020, Max Strahan, a self-described whale activist, filed suit in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts against the state. He contended that the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) licensing of fixed gear fisheries … Continue reading
Fishing Trip Leads to New Bait Source for Maine Lobstermen
Eighteen months ago, two guys were on a bass fishing trip in Kentucky, when they heard the problems Asian carp were causing for the bass fishery. Then they heard about a new opportunity for harvesting … Continue reading
A Success Story Takes Shape in Boothbay Harbor
It may seem that the world is a little grim these days. But in Boothbay Harbor, fishermen and town residents are seeing a bright spot on their horizon. The Boothbay Region Maritime Foundation is closing … Continue reading
MLA Statement on Gov. Mills’ Offshore Wind Announcement
November 20, 2020 Governor Mills’ announcement that her administration plans to move forward with an offshore wind research array off southern Maine was not welcome news for the Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA). The MLA recently … Continue reading
Lobster Research Collaboration Comes to a Close
The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) Lobster Research Collaborative (LRC) convened virtually for its final meeting on November 9, 2020. The LRC began in 2018 when DMR awarded $340,000 from the Lobster Research, Education, and … Continue reading
Lobster Stock Assessment Grim for Southern New England
The 2020 American Lobster Benchmark Stock Assessment was released in November by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The study, undertaken every five years, presents contrasting results for the two American lobster stock units, with … Continue reading