The United States has some of the most stringent environmental protection laws in the world. Those laws, which ensure we have clean water and air, also ensure that plant and animal species are protected for … Continue reading
Category: Management, WhalesThe Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) has assembled a powerful legal team to represent its members in legal and regulatory challenges regarding the level of protection necessary to safeguard endangered North Atlantic right whales from lobster … Continue reading
Category: Programs, WhalesAt the Maine Fishermen’s Forum, the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative (MLMC) presented a plan for promoting Maine lobster to wholesalers, restaurants, retailers and consumers in 2020. Shortly after, the world changed dramatically as a result … Continue reading
Category: Health and Safety, Miscellaneous, WhalesYou see it when you drive into town. The simple clapboard houses along Route 187 have ocean views that reach to the horizon. Head down the road a bit and you come to Moosabec Marine, … Continue reading
Category: Science, WhalesAs I write this, DMR staff are making final changes to our proposed whale rules that I’ll submit to NOAA Fisheries in early December. These changes are based on comments made by members of the … Continue reading
Category: Management, People, WhalesThe Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) published a proposed rule in mid-September to implement a unique and expanded gear marking program for Maine beginning in April 2020. The rule proposes to require all vertical … Continue reading
Category: Management, WhalesOn August 30, 2019, the Maine Lobstermen’s Association sent an extensive letter to NOAA Chief Chris Oliver withdrawing support for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 60% risk reduction target and the assignment of responsibility … Continue reading
Category: Management, WhalesIn October the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) concluded its assessment of the risk that Maine lobstermen present to North Atlantic right whales and released the state’s plan to reduce that risk. In a letter … Continue reading
Category: Management, People, WhalesOn August 30, the MLA notified the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) that we would not be a part of their effort to put the full responsibility for the right whale decline on the lobster … Continue reading
Category: MLA News, People, WhalesDuring July Governor Janet Mills and the Maine Congressional delegation expressed strong opposition to the mandate from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) requiring additional right whale protections. In April, states with commercial lobster fisheries … Continue reading
Category: Whales