Fishermen Back Pause On Foreign Development in America’s Oceans
“Our government should never sell out American fishermen to foreign green energy companies,” said NEFSA CEO Jerry Leeman. “NEFSA applauds Secretary Burgum for pressing pause on the Empire Wind project, which regulators rushed to approve over the objections of working commercial fishermen and their families. We hope and expect the new Administration will end the […]
Fishing Associations React to Final Wind Energy Area for Gulf of Maine
The New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA) and 16 other fishing associations released the following statement after the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management designated an enormous portion of the Gulf of Maine for offshore wind development. March 19, 2024 – The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) final designation of an enormous Wind Energy Area […]
NEFSA Responds to Damaged Vineyard Wind Turbine Struck by Lightning
The Vineyard Wind turbine that fell apart in July 2024 was struck by lightning last week, prompting a Coast Guard response and a scramble to assess damage and fallout. There are conflicting reports as to the scale of the damage and possible debris in the water. Vineyard Wind was again slow in acknowledging the incident. […]
NEFSA Statement on Right Whale #5120 Fatality
Statement of Dustin Delano, NEFSA COO and fourth-generation lobsterman: New England fishermen have gone to great lengths to protect the Endangered North Atlantic Right Whale. As true stewards of the ocean, we have empathy for this magnificent species. Importantly, this fatality is the first documented entanglement associated with our fishery since 2004. The […]
Lobstermen Saved from Industry-Crushing Regulation
Washington, D.C. – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) sided with New England’s lobstermen and walked back a proposed regulatory plan poised to cause dire economic consequences to their historic industry. ASMFC voted on Tuesday to repeal key elements of a proposed increase to minimum allowable catch sizes for Gulf of Maine lobster. The […]
Fishermen Making Comeback After Trump EO on Wind
Portland, Maine — Commercial fishermen and maritime communities finally got relief from foreign green energy companies industrializing their coasts and natural resources. President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the outer continental shelf from offshore wind development while ordering a review of leasing and permitting practices. As dutiful stewards of the ocean’s bounty, fishermen […]
NEFSA Defeats Addendum 27
Portland, ME – Lobstermen in Maine are breathing a sigh of relief after regulators walked back a plan that would have put many fishermen out of business. The state of Maine will not cooperate with a dangerous regulatory proposal to raise minimum allowable catch size for lobster after a spirited hearing on January 9th. The […]
NEFSA v. Raimondo District Court Decision Release
Portland, Maine – A federal court gave hardworking fishermen a partial victory against rogue bureaucrats this week, declaring that a key regulatory body is unconstitutional in critical respects. The U.S. District Court for the District of Maine ruled that the New England Fishery Management Council violates the Constitution because its unelected, unaccountable members can override elected […]
New England Shrimp are Back
Portland, Maine – Following months of advocacy by NEFSA on behalf of coastal communities, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) announced the formation of a pilot program for a fishermen’s survey of the northern shrimp stock. The federal government closed the Gulf of Maine shrimp fisheries over a decade ago, decimating small, multigenerational businesses tied […]
Commercial fishermen have high hopes for new Trump administration
Portland, Maine – Commercial fishermen hope the incoming Trump administration will protect America’s fisheries and maritime workers from foreign energy developers. “The sea sustains whole communities around our country, but ocean industrialization is destroying them. The incoming administration has a historic opportunity to save American workers from foreign developers, reinvigorate iconic coastal towns, and improve […]