Sea Grant American Lobster Initiative Receives Second Year of FundingThe Maine Sea Grant Program in conjunction with University of Maine scientists announced in September that the second year of the Sea Grant American Lobster Initiative … Continue reading
The New Whale Rules . . . How Did We Get Here?
Maine lobstermen are bracing for the release of the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) draft whale rules and Biological Opinion which have been three years in the making. What changes will the rules require of … Continue reading
In The NEWS
Satellites May Help Track Elusive Whales Olivia Pisano, a Ph.D. student in marine biology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, has developed technology that would scan satellite imagery and relay the whereabouts of North Atlantic right … Continue reading
At the Forum: NOAA Officials Answer Tough Questions About Whale Plan
A panel of five officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration spoke to and answered questions from a largely polite audience of lobstermen and others at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum in March. Chris Oliver, … Continue reading
Assessing Vertical Line Use & Functional Breaking Strength in the Maine Lobster Fishery
first published in Landings, February, 2020 In the summer of 2018, the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) and partners at FB Environmental and the University of Maine received a three-year grant from NOAA to assess … Continue reading
New analysis shows NOAA must look beyond the lobster fishery to protect right whales
In late August, the Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) sent a pointed letter to NOAA Chief Chris Oliver officially withdrawing support for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 60% risk reduction target and the assignment of … Continue reading
Five Dead Right Whales in Canada
As of June 28, six right whales have been reported dead in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. On June 26, Transport Canada announced that it would be implementing precautionary speed restrictions. The preliminary necropsy results … Continue reading
Lobstermen Join MLA in Response to Future Uncertainty
Maine lobstermen are known for looking toward the future by taking steps to preserve the fishery for future generations. As regulatory and economic pressures increase on Maine’s lobstermen, many are deciding to join the Maine … Continue reading
Guest Column: MLMC Highlighting lobster fishery conservation actions
The Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative (MLMC) has an important mission: to create awareness of and demand for Maine lobster. We do this through a variety of activities such as producing content and videos showcasing the … Continue reading
DMR to Hold Meetings with Lobstermen in June, August to Discuss Whale Rules
In the coming weeks, DMR will hold meetings with the seven Lobster Zone Councils to facilitate the development of a plan that meets targets established by the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team (TRT) for … Continue reading