The first regular session of the 129th Legislature convened on December 5, 2018 and must complete its work by June 19, 2019. The Maine Legislature consists of two chambers: the Senate and the House of … Continue reading
Category: ManagementNo one would call a snow crab pretty. The flat, 10-legged crustacean, whose carapace can grow to about 6 inches in size, looks like a creature concocted by a Hollywood horror movie director. But the … Continue reading
Category: ManagementMaine lobstermen may be forgiven for feeling as if they were under siege from all quarters. The federal government, through the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), and … Continue reading
Category: ManagementFishermen waited until December for permission to catch Dungeness crabs off California’s northernmost coast this season — and they want oil companies to pay for the delay. State officials have postponed the start of the … Continue reading
Category: ManagementDepartment of Marine Resources (DMR) Commissioner Patrick Keliher, 52, chooses his words carefully. Carefully, that is, until he gets excited about his topic. “I love this job!” he said emphatically during a recent interview. Fortunately, … Continue reading
Category: Management, People2018 is behind us but there is no shortage of issues facing the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) and the Marine Patrol Bureau for 2019. Likely the two largest looming over the lobster industry are … Continue reading
Category: Community Voices, ManagementDan Harriman, 60, is a fisherman from Cape Elizabeth and the last active operator of a mackerel weir in Maine. This interview was recorded in March 2018 at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum. Dan Harriman was … Continue reading
Category: Community Voices, ManagementIn 2017, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 4 emissions rules for commercial marine vessels with engine power above 599 kW (803 hp) went into effect. Tier 4 refers to standards set by the EPA … Continue reading
Category: ManagementIn late October, the Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) sent a letter to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) strongly urging it to use its discretion to set the 2019 Atlantic herring quota above the level … Continue reading
Category: Management, MLA NewsThe Department of Marine Resources is notifying lobster harvesters that the fees for certain trap tags will increase by a small amount for 2019. The fee increase is to cover increasing costs associated with the … Continue reading
Category: Management