In the News | December 2025

Electronic tracker appeal fails

The First District Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the government being allowed to require electronic trackers on federally permitted lobster boats. The goal of having the trackers is to provide more detailed data to support a more accurate stock assessment of the lobster population. Last year, five lobstermen supported by the Sustainable Maine Fishing Foundation filed a lawsuit against the Maine Department of Marine Resources, arguing the constant GPS monitoring violated their Fourth Amendment rights against unlawful search and seizure, as well as their privacy rights.

Shipping firm uses new technology to identify whales

U.S. cargo carrier Matson Inc. announced in November that it had completed a product agreement with WhaleSpotter Corp. to purchase and deploy a whale detection system developed by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). Matson says the plan will make it the first container shipping company to deploy the advanced protection technology.

In 2023, Matson provided WHOI with a $1 million research grant, as well as access to vessels and crews in the Pacific to help advance the system’s development. Since then, Matson has successfully trialed three WhaleSpotter units on its containerships and has ordered four additional units for vessels serving Hawaii and Alaska. The company says deployments on Matson ships have demonstrated that WhaleSpotter can detect surfacing whales miles away and deliver verified alerts within seconds.

DMR to conduct surveys offshore Jan. through March

Surveys of the Maine Research Array Wind Energy Area are scheduled for January 1, 2026 to March 31. The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) and partners including the University of Maine, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute will be conducting a variety of surveys in the designated lease area. Surveys may include active acoustic surveys, plankton and larval lobster surveys, and servicing of a passive acoustic receiver.  

The point of contact for this project and for any lost gear is Casey Yanos,

(207) 350-7165, casey.yanos@maine.gov. Survey schedules will be posted on the DMR website.

First electric boat charger installed in Portland

Portland is the site of the state’s first electric boat charger. Heron, an electric aquaculture boat owned by Maine Ocean Farms, charged up at the station at Wright’s Wharf in Portland Harbor in November. Maine Ocean Farms launched the boat this summer as part of a pilot project, saying the electric boats benefit the community, the environment and more. The charging station project was funded by $500,000 from the federal government and another $500,000 in matching donations.

Cost-analysis tool helps kelp farmers

Researchers from Kelson Marine in Portland and the University of Maine have developed a new tool that provides detailed economic analyses for kelp farmers and reveals strategies for reducing the costs of operation. The tool factors in differences in site selection, weather, crop size and dozens of other scenario-specific factors. It can be used for operations nearshore and offshore, like large-scale farms in the Gulf of Maine that are fully exposed to storm-driven waves. Different elements, including site-specific ocean and meteorological conditions, crop characteristics and growth, workboat types and sizes, labor structures, operational technology, local shore-side infrastructure, maintenance schedules, are calculated by the program providing aquaculturists with clear cost analyses.

Canadian Fall Lobster Seasons Open

Six lobster fishing areas in Canada have opened their fall fishing seasons, including LFA 33 and 34 off Nova Scotia which account for a large proportion of Canadian landings.