November 11, 2022 — Federal officials trying to institute new regulations on Maine’s lobster fishing industry exceeded their authority and focused on “worst case scenarios” when creating new rules, according to a new federal filing.
The Maine Lobstermen’s Association on Thursday filed its opening brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals as the industry works to beat back regulations that it says will crush Maine’s signature fishery.
Federal officials have proposed gear modifications to reduce the incidence of entanglement for endangered right whales, which number about 340. Other regulations would close certain areas to lobster fishing while the whales are migrating.