Guest Column: Lobstermen's insights, observations are critical

By Carl Wilson

2025 is officially in the rearview mirror. Before I look ahead, it’s important to reflect on the past year because it will continue to have an impact on the future.

As we all know, DMR did not advance the regulation that would have increased the minimum gauge size. That proposed regulation was a proactive measure intended to build resilience in the lobster stock. But it met with strong and compelling opposition from industry and as a result was pulled.

Carl Wilson is the Department of Maine Resources Commissioner.

When I became Commissioner in April, I vowed to work closely with industry to make sure that their observations, insights and perspectives on everything from the lobster resource and management to economics informed our decision making here in Maine and at the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

Toward that end, we conducted an industry survey in August that revealed insights into the industry’s perception about the lobster stock and the fishery, including threats, the effectiveness of conservation, and the future. There were many takeaways from that survey, which can be found on DMR’s website (HERE) but it’s important to note that perceptions will change as everything from stock abundance to economics change. As a result, I plan to continue this type of outreach in the coming months and years to ensure that our work is informed by evolving industry perspectives.

As many of you know, we also conducted multiple rounds of zone council meetings in 2025 to have conversations about everything from management and proposed rules on alternative gear to DMR’s right whale monitoring program.

This year DMR will continue to hold meetings with lobstermen to share updates on science, management and policy issues, and to seek industry input and feedback. Your observations and insights are critical. When I serve as a member of the ASMFC’s Lobster Management Board, the positions I advocate for must be informed by industry and supported by the best available information.

We have numerous issues to address, including the ramifications of the 2025 benchmark stock assessment (https://asmfc.org/species/american-lobster/), a changing economic landscape for the fishery, and how we deal with aggregations of North Atlantic right whales like we saw last January. I am grateful for the participation of lobstermen who proactively supported solutions to that problem and who continue to lean into one of the biggest challenges that this industry faces.

The Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative is also due for re-authorization in the legislature this year. I encourage you to consider testifying before the Marine Resources Committee about the impact of the Collaborative’s work to promote and protect the Maine lobster brand.

I also strongly urge you to attend DMR meetings and engage in the discussions. We need your voice as we strive to sustain this vital industry. If you haven’t already, please subscribe to notices from the Department so you receive information about upcoming meetings. To subscribe, visit the website and create an account. You can then choose Zone-specific topics and you will receive email notifications of upcoming meetings.

In addition, I highly recommend that you participate in ASMFC meetings, either by providing comments on issues of importance or by listening to webinars that provide you with firsthand information on the decisions that impact your livelihood. ASMFC meeting information can be found at https://asmfc.org/events.

As we all know, change is constant in the Maine lobster industry. As Commissioner, I will work to keep lobstermen informed of important issues as they develop and empowered to have a voice in the decisions that matter.

Happy New Year!