Maine’s lobstermen aren’t passive rule takers, they are co-authors of fishery law. Their practices are the foundation of lobster conservation efforts.
The Maine lobster industry is one of the largest in the United States, with Lobster from Maine stating that the lobster coming out of this state contributes billions of dollars annually to the economy.
The Maine lobster industry supports 5000 license holders and contributes to a multitude of shore-side jobs.
The culture of lobster has transcended just the economy; it has inspired use of license plates, school mascots, and local festivals.
The high public interest in lobster culture gave knowledgeable lobstermen the opportunity to influence legislation, drawing from their deep understanding of local fishing communities.
Tradition of Self-Regulation
In Maine, lobster fishing laws are strictly adhered to. Many homegrown measures from lobstermen in this state have become templates for modern sustainability policies.
- The ‘V-notch’ Conservation Ethic: This is a method which saw fishermen find egg-bearing female lobsters and cut a V in her tail, then release the lobster back into their environment. This signals to anyone who finds her in the future that they are not allowed to keep her. This protects the future stock and contributes to long-term gains as opposed to a quick catch.
- Minimum Carapace Sizes: These are known as minimum conservation reference sizes (MCRS) Escape vents and minimum carapace sizes were industry ideas adopted into law long before federal mandates. The Maine Industry has developed effective conservation laws which receive strong support from lobster fishermen. In the early 1900s there were many violations of existing conservation laws. Change shifted in the 1930s, when there was no benefit for the future as there was a dip of lobster stocks. Prompted reporting of violations to law enforcement.
Modern Legislative Wins Driven by the Docks
Gear Marking and Weak Links (Right-Whale Rules)
- Fisher-led trials showed distinct Maine gear marks could pinpoint entanglement sources, influencing 2014 state law.
- A California aquarium was sued for defamation after claiming that Maine lobsters should be on a ‘do not eat’ list due to an incident involving North Atlantic Right-Whales. This lawsuit is still ongoing.
- There has also been pushback to a 2025 congressional proposal to delay harsher federal rules which moved to 2035. This was championed by the Maine delegation.
Minimum Size Debate
AP recently reported, because of the declining rate of baby lobsters, fishermen are required to increase the minimum size for lobsters being trapped to 1/16th of an inch. This effort is meant to preserve the lobster population and reduce the number of small lobsters that need to be released. Lobstermen petitioned regulators to postpone the change, as there was no conclusive scientific evidence and it might unnecessarily hurt the lobster industry, which is already facing issues due to warming waters, rising costs, and whale protection rules.
Courtroom Advocacy
Maine Lobstermen’s Association won a federal appeal in 2023, which overturned an ‘egregiously wrong’ risk model pertaining to the regulation to protect the North Atlantic Right Whales. This reshaped Environmental Species Act (ESA) enforcement standards.
Working With Scientists
- Collaborative trap surveys and whale spotter programs funded through University of Maine Sea Grant. This research sees scientists and lobstersmen work together to obtain information about the lobster population. Scientists are able to use their traps and collect sea life to learn valuable information on stock and sustainability. The program also tracks whale movements and prevents accidents of being caught in fishing gear.
- Testing ‘rope-on-demand’ prototypes to reduce vertical lines in the ocean, which are concerns for the whales. Instead of using permanent ropes, these ropes are cast on demand. Lobstermen aid this process by supplying real-world data by assessing the technology’s practicality, effectiveness and impact on the lobster industry.
- Ongoing gear loaner programs let crews trial innovations without bearing full cost. Lobstermen are testing out new fishing gear without having to pay full cost. This determines the effectiveness of the equipment before making a financial commitment.
Stories Behind the Statutes
News Centre Maine reported that the rise in living costs and job expenses in the Harpswell area are creating trouble for the Maine lobster industry, affecting both new and experienced lobstermen.
Issues stem from a lack of affordable housing near the coast, younger people not wanting to enter the industry which also hurts talent acquisition in the industry.
The new regulations are seeing more expensive gear costs, which also push lobstermen out from the industry. These changes may affect the future of the lobster industry in Harpswell.
Shoreline community efforts
The Maine waterfronts are the backbone of their fishing industry. These efforts affect the economy, culture, and way of life for Maine’s coastal communities. In addition to the fishing industry, they support shipbuilding and other maritime businesses.
Over the years there has been a demand for more luxurious property development in the coastal areas, which restricts access to the waterfront, which is required for working industries, which is a disadvantage to local fishermen that can result in a negative economic and operations impact.
The community together with activists and non-profit organizations have actively lobbied for stronger protection to preserve waterfront access. The common goals of their efforts include zoning laws, conservation easements, and state legislation.
Why Policymakers Listen
Senator Susan Collins advanced funding to improve science and research, after Maine lobstermen raised concerns that the data used for legislative purposes might not be accurate and can hurt their business.
In addition to this, coastal towns depend on lobster revenue to fund schools, EMTs, and road repairs to name a few. If the lobster industry suffers, it can have financial repercussions for the community.
Conclusion
Maine’s lobstermen aren’t passive rule takers, they are co-authors of fishery law. Their practices are the foundation of lobster conservation efforts. They also work together with scientists and researchers to improve current practices and sustain the lobster population for the future. By following pragmatic solutions, they can guide other US fisheries facing similar species protection conflicts.
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