BOEM Takes First Step in Gulf Wind Leases In August the Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) published a Request for Interest (RFI) and Request for Competitive Interest (RFCI) in the offshore … Continue reading
2021 Biological Opinion Invalid But Lobster Fishery Remains Open for Now
Maine’s lobster fishery will continue to operate despite a July 8 federal court ruling that found the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) violated the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) … Continue reading
Lobstermen Frustrated by New Gear Regulation Requirements
Any fisherman will tell you that before heading to sea with new equipment, it’s best to test it out. You don’t want to be miles from shore when something essential goes bad. Maine lobstermen are … Continue reading
Whale Rule Enforcement: Communication and Common Sense
Despite efforts by Maine’s delegation and Governor Mills to get the federal whale rule implementation date pushed to July 1, NOAA did not budge on that request, and the new federal regulations went into effect … Continue reading
Electronic Tracking to be Required for Federally-Permitted Lobster Vessels
On March 31, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Lobster Management Board voted to require federally permitted vessels fishing for lobster and Jonah crab to use electronic vessel tracking devices next year. Vessels from … Continue reading
Guest column: Collision course? ASMFC draft Addendum 27 and the Take Reduction Team
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is moving forward with a new Addendum intended to support the resiliency of the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank (GOM/GBK) lobster stock.As discussed in past industry meetings, the one … Continue reading
Midwater Herring Trawlers Win Court Case
This article was first published in National Fishermen and appears here with permission. A federal court ruling could reopen some Northeast waters to mid-water herring trawlers, after a 2019 rule change that shut them out … Continue reading
“Tough Times Ahead” warns DMR
The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) addressed several of the state’s seven zone councils during January, and will finish this round of meetings in February. Department staff updated zone council members on the status of … Continue reading
Where Do The Lobster Trap Tag Fees Go?
By Jeff Nichols, DMR communications director As many of you know, the Department of Marine Resources has had to increase the cost of trap tags. Commissioner Keliher avoided implementing this increase for as long as … Continue reading
Guest Column: A tough time to predict the future
I came across this quote from Mark Twain the other day: “Predictions are difficult, especially when it involves the future.” Not a day goes by that I don’t hear a question from a fisherman about … Continue reading