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
Share This Story:
Time is Short for MLA Legal Team
The 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
Share This Story:
Lobstermen Step up to Help MLA Legal Defense Fund
It’s not everyday that you open your mail and find a check for $5,000. But that is exactly what happened at the Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) office in May. Offshore lobsterman Alec Phippen, who fishes … Continue reading
Share This Story:
Economic Impact of Whale Regulations Would be Profound
You 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
Share This Story:
Guest column: DMR whale plan reflects practicality, federal reality
As 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
Share This Story:
The MLA urges Department of Marine Resources to simplify proposed gear marking
The 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
Share This Story:
The MLA continues to challenge NMFS whale proposal
On 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
Share This Story:
DMR releases right whale risk reduction plan
In 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
Share This Story:
Steaming Ahead September 2019
On 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
Share This Story:
Maine Officials Go On Defense Regarding Whale Rules
During 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
Share This Story: