October 7, 2022 — There were some tense moments during a public hearing with Maine lobstermen and federal regulators Wednesday night at the University of Southern Maine in Portland.
The meeting comes after Gov. Janet Mills (D-Maine) and members of Maine’s congressional delegation requested the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) visit the state to discuss tougher rules on the lobster industry.
“Our goal is to implement the approaches under the law to comply with the law in ways that have the least effect on fishing communities,” NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit said.
The new regulations include increasing zone closures and limits on traps and vertical lines.
They are all part of an increased effort to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale from getting entangled in fishing gear.