In December 2019, $1.6 million in federal funds were re-appropriated to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to support recovery actions for the North Atlantic right whale. The funds are intended to assist the … Continue reading
Three years ago, the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association (MCFA) began working with fishermen and local businesses to improve scallop management and give a voice to scallop fishermen on important regulatory issues. As a result, the … Continue reading
2020 has been one for the books. The bad news has been relentless. But, fortunately, there’s been some good news along the way. Good News in the CourtsIn August we learned that United States District … Continue reading
Experimental Lease Applications Name of Applicant/Company Site Town Size Product Duration Status Mussel Bound Inc. N of Thomas Isl. Frenchman Bay Bar Harbor 3.58 acres Shellfish 3 yrs Comment Period Ended 8/24/19 Downeast Institute Near … Continue reading
Standard Lease Applications Name of Applicant/Company Site Town Size Product Duration Status Western Bay Oyster Co. off Old House Cove, Western Bay, Spruce Pt Bar Harbor 3.36 acres Shellfish 20 yrs Public hearing Postponed 3/20/20 … Continue reading
On August 20, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler travelled to Maine to announce a delay in the implementation of Tier 4 marine diesel engine rules, an action that the Maine Lobstermen’s Association … Continue reading
All fisheries in the Gulf of St. Lawrence are a little more colorful these days as Canadian fishermen are adding colored twine to all vertical lines for 2020 and future fishing seasons. This effort is … Continue reading
Never has the lobster industry been so tested — whale regulations and lawsuits, a petition to close large areas of the Gulf of Maine, bait supply, and COVID-19. To make matters worse, lobster markets in … Continue reading
Canada announced new regulations to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale. From April to November, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada will close fishing in areas of the Gulf of St. Lawrence … Continue reading
A panel of five officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration spoke to and answered questions from a largely polite audience of lobstermen and others at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum in March. Chris Oliver, … Continue reading
