Deadline coming soon Beginning November 10, 2021, GARFO-permitted commercial fishing vessels will be required to have an electronic device onboard the vessel at the time of the trip and submit completed reports electronically within 48 … Continue reading
Knotty Discussions Over Weak Points in Final Whale Rule
In July, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) published the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) with NMFS’s preferred alternative for the whale rules, which will amend the Large Whale Take Reduction Plan. While this is … Continue reading
Guest Column: Proposed Regulations Place Unfair Burden On Lobstermen
I want to start off by saying thank you to Maine lobstermen for all your hard work on right whales. After two decades of compliance with federal whale rules, you are again being called on … Continue reading
NMFS calls for deeper cuts over ten years to protect whales
Right whales will continue to decline unless other actions taken Two major announcements related to North Atlantic right whales and the U.S. lobster fishery were made by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) as 2020 … Continue reading
Funds Help Maine Transition to 100% Harvester Reporting
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
Guest Column: New Scallop Regulation Supports Small Boat Fleet
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
Guest Column: some good news arrives for Maine lobstermen
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
DMR Aquaculture: Experimental Lease Application Status for September
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
DMR Aquaculture: Standard Lease Application Status for September
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
EPA Delays Tier 4 Diesel Emission Standards
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