In the News | March 2026

Northeast Canyons Marine Monument reopens to commercial fishing

President Donald Trump has again removed restrictions on commercial fishing in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. The Monument was created in 2016 by President Barack Obama under the Antiquities Act, protecting 4,913 square miles of the Atlantic approximately 150 miles off Cape Cod. Trump’s action marks the fourth time that the status of commercial fishing in the Monument has been changed in the last 10 years. Trump first lifted the commercial fishing ban in 2020; President Biden restored the ban in 2021.

Fish stock shifts reflected in federal bill

A bill titled Supporting Health Interstate Fisheries in Transition (SHIFT) Act has been introduced in Congress by Senators Richard Blumenthal, Chris Murphy, and Elizabeth Warren. The bill would require NOAA Fisheries to more formally account for climate-driven shifts in fish stocks when setting commercial fishing quotas. Warming waters have pushed stocks north, complicating quota allocations and creating jurisdiction confusion for commercial fishermen trying to stay profitable. The legislation would direct the Secretary of Commerce to investigate when a fish stock has shifted from one regional fishery management council’s jurisdiction into another’s and coordinate management between councils going forward.

Canada introduces Whale-Safe Fishing Gear plan

The Canadian federal government is rolling out its Whale-safe Fishing Gear Strategy, a five-year plan to reduce the risk of entangling endangered North Atlantic right whales. The Strategy will initially focus on fisheries on Canada’s east coast, with plans to identify and implement appropriate measures nationwide by 2030.Whale-safe gear falls into two categories: on-demand gear and lower-breaking links, designed to break at 1,700 pounds of force.

Juvenile lobster numbers up along section of Maine coast

Photo courtesy of Midcoast Solar

The American Lobster Settlement Index survey shows the number of young-of-year lobsters found in an area from Friendship to Corea has been above average for the past two years. Every fall, scientists dive to the seabed to collect young-of-year lobsters in more than 100 inshore cobblestone nurseries spread across New England and Atlantic Canada. While the resurgence in juvenile lobsters is encouraging, the numbers are still 44% lower than they were two decades ago.

Two companies' efforts benefit MLCA

Thanks to an amazing collaboration between Sea Bags and Cousins Maine Lobster, the Maine Lobster Community Alliance (MLCA) received a check for more than $7,700 raised through Sea Bags’ limited-edition Coastal Catch Picnic collection. The proceeds from sales directly support MLCA’s work advocating for a sustainable lobster resource and thriving coastal communities. Thank you, Sea Bags and Cousins Maine Lobster, and thank you to everyone who purchased a bag and helped make this possible.

From left, Jim Tselikis (Cousins Maine), Beth Greenlaw (Pres. Sea Bags), Chris Payne (MLCA), Shelly Afthim (Sea Bags)