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L A N D I N G S
NEWS & VIEWS FROM MAINE'S LOBSTERING COMMUNITY
In January 2013, the MLCA launched Landings, a monthly newspaper which balances
its content amongst science, history, resource sustainability, economic development,
and human interest stories. Through Landings, MLCA educates the public and lobster
industry stakeholders about the unique characteristics of Maine’s lobstering traditions,
its history and heritage, ongoing research to maintain the sustainability of the resource,
and its non-harmful and non-wasteful commercial fishing practices.
Distributing more than 6,500 copies of this 24+page publication free via mail each
month to all of Maine’s commercial lobstermen, state government agency staff, elected
state officials, Congressional delegation, subscribers, marine businesses; and to the
public at various locations around the state including ferry terminals, marine supply
stores and annual educational forums.
Get Ready for the 51st Maine Fishermen's Forum
The 51st Maine Fishermen’s Forum takes place this year from March 5 to 7 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport. The annual event brings fishermen, resource managers, nonprofit organizations, aquaculturists, scientists, students and the public together to discuss the pressing issues in New England’s fisheries and related industries. Thursday, March 5 Thursday’s seminars largely focus on shellfish aquaculture and fishermen’s safety. The day kicks off with an update from Maine’s She
10 hours ago5 min read
Fishermen's Safety First and Foremost
By Liz Michaud, Green and White Hope Founder/President Green and White Hope Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2025, working to prevent fatalities among commercial fishermen through safety programs and technology advancement, while also advancing recovery capabilities among Maine communities that rely on the sea. This mission was inspired by the loss of my 18-year-old nephew while he was lobster fishing off the coast of Steuben on July 21, 2023. Liz Michaud, f
11 hours ago3 min read
Update on DMR's Right Whale Passive Acoustic Monitoring
By Jessie Mathews, Nicole Velandia, and Alex Marino, Department of Marine Resources The Department of Marine Resources’ (DMR) Division of Marine Mammal Research Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) program aims to increase our understanding of where and when North Atlantic right whales (NARW) occur in the Gulf of Maine to assess where NARWs and fishing gear overlap. Once acoustic recordings have been analyzed and reviewed by DMR science staff, the NARW acoustic detection data wi
11 hours ago5 min read
DMR Marine Mammal Survey Report, October-December 2025
By Sarah Leiter, Department of Marine Resources The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) Division of Marine Mammal Research Survey Program is designed to increase our understanding of when and where North Atlantic right whales occur in the Gulf of Maine by conducting monthly visual surveys in Maine waters. These data will be used in modeling efforts that assess risk and inform efforts by the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team. The results presented here are preliminary
11 hours ago1 min read
Your Questions, Answered: What Eats Lobsters, Besides Us?
It was a brave soul who first decided to eat a lobster. With a formidable shell, spikes jutting out all over and two powerful claws, that long-ago diner must have been pretty hungry to even think about munching on such a fierce looking creature. Despite its rugged shell as an adult, young lobsters are on the menu of many other Gulf of Maine species. BDN photo. When a lobster is young, however, it is on the menu of many other creatures in the wild. As newly hatched lobster lar
12 hours ago2 min read
Steaming Ahead | February 2026
By any measure, 2025 was a hard year to be a Maine lobsterman. The price of lobster lagged, uncertainty hung over the markets, regulatory pressure never let up, and frustration was felt from the wheelhouse to the wharf. As we turn the page onto a new season, it’s important to say this clearly: the Maine Lobstermen’s Association hears you, stands with you, and is working every day to protect the future of this fishery. C. Clegg photo. In January, the MLA Board of Directors gat
12 hours ago4 min read
Maine Lobstermen's Association Update | February 2026
MLA Board Meeting Summary The MLA Board of Directors met for an all-day retreat in mid-January to review work conducted by MLA in 2025 and discuss priorities for 2026. Operationally, 2025 was a year of growth for MLA. The MLA Board elected its first Chairman, Jarod Bray, as well as officers with professional expertise from outside the board. All MLA board members went through media training and the MLA surveyed its members about several emerging issues. MLA launched its new m
12 hours ago8 min read
MLA Junior Harvester: Colby Ray
Colby Ray, 15, of Saco, is an enterprising young man. He lobsters around Camp Ellis and Biddeford Pool during the summer, then sells much of his catch from his garage to local customers. He began lobstering a few years ago, in the seventh grade, when he and his father Dan Ray and a friend set five recreational traps each, hand-hauling the traps from a small boat. Colby Ray, Saco, and the one he threw back. “My dad is from Milbridge. He worked in the L. Ray Packing plant there
12 hours ago2 min read
To Your Health: Meeting fishermen, where they are
By Stacey Roberts, Healthy Harvester program As a member of the Deer Isle community, I have witnessed firsthand the unique challenges fishermen face every day. Long hours, physical risks, and the constant pressure to provide for their families often leave little room to prioritize health and well-being. That is why I was so excited to accept the role of Community Health Worker for the Healthy Harvester Program. Image Info Here Healthy Harvester is a community-driven initiativ
12 hours ago2 min read
In the News | February 2026
Senate appropriations committee provides lobster research funding U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has secured funding for several efforts related to the lobster fishery. $30 million is allocated to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) for Right Whale-related research and monitoring. Additionally, language in the bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to collaborate with Canada on
12 hours ago3 min read
Despite the Cold, Lobstermen Bringing Up the Ghosts
The Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation has been working to get “ghost gear,” lobster traps lost at sea, off the bottom of the Gulf of Maine since 2009. To recover lost traps, the Foundation contracts with lobstermen to drag specially made grappling gear in areas where traps are known to be lost and grappling is a viable retrieval method. Currently fishermen in Southport, Boothbay, Owls Head and Stonington have contracts with the Foundation to gather the lost gear. Photos by M.
12 hours ago2 min read
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