Top officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard met with representatives of Maine’s commercial fishing industry on Friday to discuss concerns about new catch restrictions and mariner safety.
Eric Schwaab, the newly appointed administrator with NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, and Coast Guard Vice Adm. Robert Papp met for more than an hour with U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe and more than a half-dozen stakeholders.
Throughout the meeting, which was organized as part of the annual Maine Fishermen’s Forum, industry representatives expressed frustration about pending sharp reductions in the catch allowances of Atlantic herring, which are used for lobster bait. Speakers said the limits are not based on science and could seriously harm the industry.