Maine Lobstermen's Association Update | April 2025

MLA annual meeting

The 71st Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) annual meeting was held on February 28 during the Maine Fishermen’s Forum in Rockport. Outgoing MLA president Kristan Porter opened the meeting by acknowledging the hard work of the MLA staff and board of directors during the past year. He thanked retiring board members Laurin Brooks and Craig Stewart for their many years of tenure on the board. Porter presented a slate of nominees to the board which was unanimously approved. He then recognized DuraBrite, Nor’ East Bait, Sea Rose Trap, and Brooks Trap for their sponsorship. Porter also thanked the Southern Maine Lobstermen’s Association, which has disbanded, for its $33,000 contribution to the MLA Legal Defense Fund.

From left, MLA board President Patrice McCarron, Chairman Jarod Bray, outgoing President Kristan Porter, Vice-Chair Sonny Beal.

Patrice McCarron, MLA executive director, spoke about 2024 highlights, which included staff and organizational restructuring. She reiterated that the MLA is an organization by and for Maine lobstermen and all board members must hold a commercial lobster license. The MLA board and officer structure has been revamped so that officers responsible for operating the organization do not need to serve on the board; however the Chairman and Vice-chairman, who serve as officers of the board of directors, must serve on the board.

The MLA has been involved in several projects during the past year. It worked with Fishing Partnership Support Services to offer free safety trainings, CPR and Drill conductor workshops; additional workshops will take place this spring. MLA partnered with the Lobster Institute to start the Maine Lobster Data Trust, through which lobstermen can contribute their own data collected through Time Zero and other chart plotters. Lobstermen maintain control of the data contributed to this project. this spring, and the MLA is preparing to relaunch the Maine Lobster Leadership Program in 2026, to educate young lobstermen on the science, governance and financial aspects of the fishery.

The MLA Legal Team is going strong. The MLA continues to advocate for Maine lobstermen on all right whale issues. The MLA was successful in getting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to correct its right whale population estimate from 340 to 364 whales in its recent stock assessment. MLA continues to watchdog NMFS’s characterization of data on right whales including right whale mortality and birth rates and facts about the January 2024 death of a right whale with Maine gear attached. MLA advocated for adoption of the vessel speed rule to protect right whales and worked with Maine’s Congressional delegation on other whale-related issues. The court has finally given MLA’s defamation lawsuit against the Monterey Aquarium the green light to move forward, denying the plaintiffs motion to dismiss the case. The MLA continues to oppose offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine and has been encouraged by President Trump’s executive order freezing new projects.

The MLA has opposed the gauge increase since it was proposed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) in 2023. ASMFC is moving forward with a plan to consider repealing the all gauge vent size changes required under Addendum 27. There will be one public hearing on possible actions in April, which all lobstermen are encouraged to participate in. ASMFC will meet in early May and the DMR will provide an update on industry input to date. The MLA has committed to work with the industry and the DMR as Maine explores how to ensure the lobster population remains resilient.

In other policy matters, the MLA has called for ASMFC to allow its mandatory electronic trackers to be turned off when lobstermen are not fishing. MLA is also monitoring any bills that will impact the lobster industry in the Maine legislature this session.

Attorney Ryan Steen, the head of MLA’s legal team from Stoel Rives, then spoke about the MLA’s legal work. He reviewed the steps that led to the MLA’s historic legal victory in 2023. The case stems from 2014 when NMFS released its Biological Opinion on the lobster and Jonah crab fisheries concluding that the lobster fishery did not jeopardize right whales. In response, several national environmental organizations sue NMFS in 2018 over that Biological Opinion; in 2020 the Washington D.C. District Court ruled in favor of the organizations, directing NMFS to redo the Biological Opinion. In 2021 the new Biological Opinion was released with a ten-year conservation plan for right whales calling for a 98% reduction in the risk by lobster fishery. Also in 2021 the Take Reduction Team (TRT) released its right whale rules under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to achieve a 60% reduction in risk. The environmental organizations then filed a new lawsuit arguing that NMFS’s new Biological Opinion was not strict enough. The MLA responded by suing NMFS arguing that the agency intentionally overestimated the harm the lobster fishery caused right whales. The Washington D.C. District Court judge ruled in favor the environmental groups, directing NMFS to redo the Biological Opinion again but not closing the lobster fishery in the meantime.

The MLA appealed the court’s decision. In December 2022, Congress passed the Omnibus Budget Act which deemed the lobster fishery in compliance with the MMPA and the Endangered Species Act and pausing any new regulatory action against the lobster fishery for six years. In June 2023, the Appeals Court ruled for the MLA in a landmark decision. The court found that NMFS did overestimate possible harm to right whales from the lobster fishery in its computer modelling and that its “reasoning [is] egregiously wrong.” It directed NMFS to come up with a new Biological Opinion that does not use worse case scenarios. In 2024 the environmental organizations’ lawsuit was dismissed.

“The fishery is in full compliance with the ESA and MMPA through December 31, 2028,” Steen said. “New regulations consistent with the laws must take effect by December 31, 2028.”

The problem, Steen continued, is that right whales are still endangered, although the population is looking better than in past years. There has been a documented right whale death in Maine lobster gear, so the issue is how many other deaths will NMFS attribute to lobster fishing. Neither the ESA and MMPA is a flexible law, and the environmental groups remain well funded.

The next step will be NMFS reconvening the TRT to discuss risk reduction strategies and develop new regulations. NMFS will publish a new Biological Opinion and Whale Rule in 2028. If NMFS does not comply with the court’s decision in the MLA case, the MLA may once again need to sue NMFS.

“The MLA has done an incredible job advocating for the fishery. You need to have a single group representing the fishery, particularly in court. You have stability until 2028. It’s important the agency know that if things go awry again, the MLA will step in and defend the fishery,” Steen said.

After thanking Steen for his efforts, Patrice introduced MLA board member Sonny Beal who presented a new slate of officers to serve as Kristan Porter has retired as MLA’s President. The slate of officers: Chairman Jarod Bray, Vice-Chairman Sonny Bean, Vice-President John Tripp, Treasurer Johnny McCarthy, President Patrice McCarron and Secretary Shannon Butler. The slate was unanimously approved.

Beal thanked Kirstan Porter for his six years as MLA President, noting all the hours Porter has spent in the road, and at meetings and events. “It means a lot, coming from Cutler,” he said. He then presented Porter with two items: a bottle of fine Tito’s vodka and a plaque of commendation.

“I took over the helm for Dave Cousens. I had a good navigator and a wicked good crew,” Porter said. “I have the utmost faith in these guys [the board]. Now it’s someone else’s turn to step up.”

The MLA at the Maine Fishermen's Forum

The Maine Lobstermen’s Association drew a record crowd of over 200 people for its Annual Meeting on February 28 at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum. At the meeting members said good-bye to the MLA’s outgoing President Kristan Porter, who has been at the helm of MLA for seven years and on the board for 22. Sonny Beal spoke on behalf of the MLA, giving Kristan a heartfelt thank you for his tremendous contributions to the lobster industry during extremely difficult times, but not without a memorable laugh-out-loud roast. The MLA elected its new leadership, welcoming Jarod Bray as Board chairman and Sonny Beal as vice-chairman.

The MLA’s afternoon social event was a huge success, taking place before the Friday night dinner. A great time was had by all as the crowd decompressed from the day’s events and socialized with members, friends and colleagues who we don’t see often enough. The MLA booth was bustling the entire weekend, anchored by MLA’s outgoing office manager Mindy Coath, and new office manager Shannon Butler. They talked with lots of members and sold lots of MLA merchandise. MLA’s membership director Sunshine Mechtenberg spoke with many members and welcomed new members joining the MLA during the Forum.

The Forum was also a great time to connect with business members and other colleagues. Melissa Waterman and Kevin Kelley spent some quality time in the trade show thanking the many businesses who support the MLA and advertise in the MLCA newspaper Landings. The MLA was also active in the Forum seminars. Patrice McCarron took part in several panels focusing on the MLA’s work in collaborative research and preparing for new whale rules.

Each year during the Maine Fishermen’s Forum the MLA recognizes a Marine Patrol Officer who has demonstrated outstanding service in support of the Maine lobster industry. This year, vice-chair Sonny Beal and board member Brian Billings were pleased to present the 2025 award to Maine Marine Patrol Specialist Dan Vogel during the Saturday night banquet. The MLA extends its heartfelt gratitude to Katie Werner, who represents the MLA on the Forum Board, for her help making the Forum possible.

L to r.: MLA Board members Brian Billings and Sonny Beal, Specialist Dan Vogel, Marine Patrol Colonel Matt Talbot. DMR photo.

ASMFC Gauge repeal addendum out for Public Comment

On March 18, the ASMFC Lobster Board approved Draft Addendum 32 for public comment. Responding to economic concerns from the lobster industry, the Draft Addendum considers repealing all Addendum 27 gauge and escape vent size changes. Concurrently, the Gulf of Maine states will work closely with industry to identify alternative conservation strategies and will report back to the Board at upcoming quarterly meetings.

Under Addendum 27, changes to the current gauge and escape vent sizes in Lobster Conservation Management Areas 1, 3, and Outer Cape Cod were triggered based on observed declines in recruit abundance indices, with the original implementation date of June 1, 2024 that was ultimately delayed to July 1, 2025.

Draft Addendum 32 considers two options: full implementation of Addendum 27 by July 1, 2025 or repealing all of its gauge and escape vent measures. The Draft Addendum does not consider changes to regulations prohibiting the issuance of 10% additional trap tags above the trap limit or allocation in LCMAs 1 and 3 which has already been implemented, nor to the V-notch possession definition provision of Addendum XXVII.

The ASMFC will hold an online public hearing on the addendum on April 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. To register for the hearing, click here.

Deadline for public comment April 25.

Mail: Caitlin Starks, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, 1050 N. Highland St. Suite 200A-N, Arlington, VA 22201.

Email: comments@asmfc.org Subject line: Lobster Draft Addendum XXXII.

Online: ASMFC Public Comment

Zone Councils Discuss alternatives to Gauge increase

The DMR is meeting with Maine’s lobster zone councils. The primary purpose of these meetings is to discuss Maine’s response to ASMFC’s potential repeal of the gauge increase. Zones B, D, E, and G met in March and Zones A, C and F will meet in April. The Lobster Advisory Council (LAC) previously met to discuss the gauge issue in February. At each meeting, DMR gives a presentation explaining the ASMFC management process and the timeline that that led to the scheduled LMA 1 gauge increase. ASMFC drafted Addendum 32, which would repeal the scheduled gauge and vent increases required under Addendum 27. DMR stressed that other states remain concerned about the resilience of the lobster stock; the Commission is expecting updates from each of the states on what lobstermen are willing to do to protect the stock if the gauge increase is repealed at the May meeting.

ASMFC will hold an online public hearing on April 10 from 6-8 p.m. and comments on Addendum 32 are due April 25. If lobstermen do not want to see the LMA 1 gauge increase on July 1, they are strongly encouraged to provide comment to ASMFC. The ASMFC Lobster Board will meet on May 5 to vote on Addendum 32 to repeal the gauge and will review the findings on the updated lobster stock assessment in October.

Zone Council representatives largely expressed frustration that a gauge increase was ever approved. Most lobstermen felt disenfranchised by the process and frustrated that their concerns were not heard. Many could not believe that managers would approve a measure increase when the resource is healthy. The majority of lobstermen did not believe that there is a problem. They said that they did not expect landings to remain at record high forever, but they are not worried about the lobster population because they continue to see lots of small lobsters in their traps. Many lobstermen attribute the decline in landings to a combination of factors including an increase in predators on the stock, a reduction in effort due to licenses retiring, and a reduction in effort due to rising operating costs. Lobstermen are working smarter rather than harder to control operating costs. Lobstermen were very encouraged that the survey data is no longer showing a decline.

Ideas for potential alternatives to a gauge increase included developing hatcheries, reviving the Lobster Seed Fund Program, reducing the top measure, and bringing other areas up to LMA 1’s standard on top gauge and V-notching definition.

DMR’s new Commissioner Carl Wilson agreed that many things in the lobster fishery are changing and it will be important to review the results of the lobster stock assessment. Several zone councils requested that DMR schedule zone council meetings at least three times a year, or quarterly so the councils can stay on top of the issues.

Legislative Update

It’s been a busy legislative session. The Legislature passed a continuing services budget to avoid a government shutdown in July. As part of this effort, the House and Senate voted to adjourn the session and the Governor then reconvened the Legislature so that the budget funds will be available within 90 days. There will be additional budget work this session.

There have been three lobster bills printed so far. LD 336 An Act to Change the Waiting List System for Commercial Lobster and Crab Fishing Licenses proposed to set the exit ratio for all zones to one-to-one. The MLA opposed this bill. The Marine Resources Committee voted Ought Not to Pass and the bill is dead.

LD 851 An Act to Establish a Senior Retiree Lobster License proposed to allow anyone who previously held a lobster license for at least three consecutive years to obtain a retiree license limited to 100 traps. The person would not have to go through the Apprentice Program or be subject to the waiting list. The MLA opposed this bill. The work session is scheduled for April 3.

LD 1341 is a resolve directing DMR to evaluate how two licensed individuals may fish for or take lobsters from a single vessel or fish for or take scallops from a single vessel without this resulting in an increased harvest. If passed, DMR must present its findings to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Marine Resources Committee by January 14, 2026 and could result in new legislation. The MLA has expressed concern with this concept because it will likely result in increasing effort in the fishery. The public hearing had not yet been scheduled.

There are several other bills in process that would impact the lobster industry. LD 553 An Act to Assert State Sovereignty over Ocean Waters and Marine Resources up to 12 Nautical Miles off the State’s Coast (EMERGENCY) proposes that the State owns and may exercise control over all waters within the rise and fall of the tide seaward 12 nautical miles. It would limit the state’s jurisdiction over harvesting of marine resources from 200 to 12 miles and eliminate the state’s jurisdiction over submerged lands. The MLA opposed this bill. The work session is scheduled for April 3.

LD 968 Resolve, to Study Stakeholder Input Involving the Appointment of the Commissioner of Marine Resources would direct the DMR to study the level of stakeholder input involved in the appointment of the DMR Commissioner and how that input may be expanded. The bill does not recognize that the DMR Commissioner is a cabinet level position with a process for appointment and public input outlined in statute. The MLA testified neither for nor against this bill, supporting expanding stakeholder input if possible without jeopardizing the Commissioner’s place in the Governor’s cabinet. The public hearing was held on March 27 and work session is not yet scheduled.

There are a variety of other bills addressing aquaculture, scallops, shrimp, halibut and other fisheries, and several working waterfront bills proposed that are still moving through the process.

Right Whale Calving Update

The right whale calving season began in mid-November and concludes in mid-April. As of 3/29/25, there have been ten mom/calf pairs identified this season. One additional mom/calf pair was sighted at the beginning of the season but could not be identified. There are six returning mothers and four first-time mothers. To date, three of the right whale pairs have been sighted in Cape Cod Bay.

Right Whale Detections off the Maine Coast

Efforts to locate right whales off the Maine coast expanded significantly in 2024 and early 2025. The DMR aerial surveys had only two sightings, both in November, with one right whale seen around Jeffreys and eight right whales in offshore Zone A. The New England Aquarium and Northeast Fisheries Science Center also are conducting aerial surveys; Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute deploys acoustic Slocum gliders. The Slocum gliders detected right whales in 2024 primarily in and around the LMA 1 closure area. In January, there were several slocum glider detections within the LMA 1 closure and in Area 3 waters offshore of the LMA 1 closure. From February through September there were only two detections: an acoustic detection offshore in Southern Maine in February and a mother/calf pair sighted in offshore waters off Zone A in July. The Slocum glider detected right whales in October within LMA 1, the waters inshore of LMA 1, and offshore waters in Zone A. In November the glider detected right whales along the inside edge of the LMA 1 closure and in Area 3. In December the glider detected right whales off Jeffreys, in offshore waters off Southern Maine and within the northern edge of the LMA 1 closure.

So far in 2025, right whales have been sighted in virtually all areas along the U.S. east coast, but not north of Jeffreys Basin. From January 12 through February 8 there were at least 99 individual right whales sighted in deep waters in and around Jeffreys Basin. Since then DMR has conducted two vessel surveys covering Penobscot Bay into Downeast Maine, three aerial surveys covering Downeast in mid-February and midcoast and southern Maine in late March with no right whale detections reported.

Maine Offshore Wind Research Array on Hold

On March 28, the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) announced it had suspended negotiations on a power purchase agreement with Pine Tree Offshore Wind, the company responsible for developing the Maine Offshore Wind Research Array. According to the MPUC, Pine Tree Offshore Wind had “requested that the negotiation of the Contract be paused due to recent shifts in the energy landscape that have in particular caused uncertainty in the offshore wind industry.” The MLA has consistently opposed offshore wind development in the Gulf of Maine because of concerns about its impact on fishing grounds and marine ecosystems.