Lobster license study nears completion

First published in the MLA Newsletter, November, 2012.

This past summer, Gulf of Maine Research Institute staff began an in-depth evaluation of the Maine lobster and crab license limited entry system. We have been busy collecting information for the study from a variety of sources.  The final report and recommendation was originally due on October 15, but given the vast scope of the assignment GMRI received an extension until November 1.

So far the team has heard from fishermen, apprentices, students, individuals on the lobster license waiting lists, town officials, fisheries associations, and many others.  We have received 100+ phone calls from individuals, 50+ letters, and 1,500 returned opinion surveys (25% return rate).  With all of this information gathered, we are now looking for the common statewide issues and concerns and how regional differences, diversity in size of fishing operation and individual fishing goals might apply to the various findings.

The common themes that have emerged are clear and largely shared by both license holders and non-license holders.  An “owner- operator” provision is very important to people. There is fear of high-priced licenses should they ever become transferrable and available on the open market.  On the other hand, many fishermen are interested in inter-family transfers of either licenses or tags. There are a lot of people waiting a very long time on the lists for a license. 

Trap tags have been suggested as ‘the currency’ that a licensing system for Maine might build upon to create a more flexible system with additional personal choice.

Right now, we seem to face less of a resource management concern and more of a social equity question, -- a fairness question -- about who has the privilege to access the fishery and how to ensure healthy coastal economies.  Keeping an eye on the long-term health of the lobster population and creating a way for managers to act swiftly by setting thresholds through a fisheries management plan also will be critical to ensure we have a fishery for the future. It’s a delicate balance for sure.  By building additional regional and personal flexibility into the system there may be a way to meet everyone’s needs.