January 14, 2025
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 size increase would have deprived lobstermen of their most popular products, further straining their multi-generational businesses and historic communities.
“Lobstermen everywhere are relieved that the Maine Department of Resources stepped back from the brink,” said NEFSA COO Dustin Delano, a fourth generation lobsterman. “Raising the minimum catch size would have driven countless lobstermen off the water and opened our market to foreign competitors.”
“NEFSA hopes Thursday’s motion ends consideration of catch size change for the foreseeable future, and remains prepared to explore all legal options,” Delano added.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission recommended an increase to minimum allowable catch size in May of 2022. As NEFSA has previously explained, Maine lobstermen projected a drop in landings on the order of 10-15 percent were a catch size increase adopted. The drop in American supply would have increased U.S. market share for foreign competitors, particularly Canadian lobstermen and processors. Of particular note, Canadian authorities are not currently planning an increase in minimum allowable catch size, despite the fact they share fisheries with Americans or work fisheries within the Gulf of Maine.
These unwelcome effects united the entire lobster industry in opposition to the proposed size increase. Lobstermen, harvesters, and wharf owners spoke in opposition at Thursday’s spirited meeting.
“NEFSA was proud to be at the vanguard of resistance to the catch size increase,” Delano said. “The state’s decision proves what fishermen are capable of when they pull together to pursue a common objective.”