Maine Lobstermen's Association Update | April 2026

MLA Annual Meeting Summary

The Maine Lobstermen’s Association held its 72nd Annual Meeting at the Samoset Resort in Rockport on March 6. The meeting kicked off with MLA board vice-president Sonny Beal thanking the MLA board members and staff for all their hard work over the past year. He also recognized retired board member Jason Joyce of Swans Island, who stepped down last fall.

It was a full room for the 72nd MLA annual meeting in March. MLA photos.

MLA members then approved a slate of nominees electing six board members for a three-year term. The MLA announced that the board had selected Sonny Beal to replace Jarod Bray as MLA’s Board Chairman to lead the organization, and Richard Howland as Vice-Chair.

MLA executive director Patrice McCarron presented an overview of the MLA’s 2025 achievements. The MLA conducted an educational campaign focused on lobstermen’s longstanding practice of V-notching egged lobsters, in partnership with the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Alliance (NEFSA). In addition to promoting V-notching on social media channels, in editorials, posters, and in Landings, the MLA sent free V-notch tools to more than 130 new lobstermen.

Additional collaborations included safety training with Massachusetts-based Fishing Partnership Support Services (FPSS); working waterfront protection with Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI); and the socio-economic study with the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries.

The primary issue facing Maine lobstermen in 2025 was profitability. Colder water impacted the fishery through a delayed lobster molt leading to fewer hauling days. Landings came in later and were lower than in 2024. Tariff uncertainties impacted markets; high inflation, increased operating costs, and ultimately, a lower boat price meant catch did not keep up with lobstermen’s expenses.

In the policy arena, 2025 began with deep concerns about the ASMFC Amendment 27, which would have raised the minimum gauge size for legal lobsters. The MLA had long opposed such a change. In response to vigorous protests from Maine lobstermen, the ASMFC ultimately repealed that provision of Amendment 27 in May.

NMFS head Eugenio Piñeiro Soler.

Lobstermen then brought ideas to MLA about common sense ways to make the industry stronger and the resource more resilient. The MLA surveyed members on these ideas with responses showing support for enhancing V-notching, improving use of vents and bio-panels, incorporating claw-save bottoms, and stricter enforcement penalties for egregious violations.

Securing a strong bait supply remained a priority and the MLA advocated at the state and regional levels to oppose a large reduction to the ASMFC menhaden quota.

The MLA closely monitored the development of the ASFMC lobster stock assessment, which found that stock abundance had declined from its historic peak, yet the resource remains healthy. Exploitation rates remained high, meaning lobstermen catch most of the legal lobsters available to them, as they always have. ASMFC determined that overfishing was occurring -- but by less than 1%. The MLA countered a barrage of misleading press coverage when the assessment was released in October.

The MLA continued its work on right whales and is prepared to address upcoming right whale protection rules that are due from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) by the end of 2028. MLA organized other lobstering organizations in support of proposed reforms of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA), the federal laws that protect right whales. The MLA was successful in urging NMFS to delay the planning process for the new whale rules until 2027 in order to fully incorporate Maine’s extensive fishing effort and right whale monitoring data in its deliberations.

In 2026, the MLA will continue its V-notching campaign to raise awareness of its importance to the conservation of the lobster resource. Nearly 90% of MLA members surveyed in 2025 responded that they V-notch consistently, an encouraging sign as the lobster population changes. The MLA plans to continue distributing quality stainless steel V-notch tools to new lobstermen again this year.

McCarron then introduced Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, the Assistant Administrator of NOAA Fisheries. Mr. Soler talked about his family’s commercial fishing heritage, his time as a commercial fisherman and fisheries advocate in Puerto Rico before becoming head of NMFS.

“You have to protect your culture and way of life,” Soler said at the beginning of his talk. “Once you lose it, it is not coming back.” For NMFS to effectively manage the lobster fishery it must act in partnership with stakeholders, he continued. “Governments come and go. Step up. Be ready for a fight always.”

NMFS, said Soler, is ready to assist lobstermen in every way it can. Among his priorities is generating better science. “We don’t need slow science. We need timely science, not five or six years old. That is not productive,” he said. “We all need to be scientists and managers and take part in the system.”

After Soler finished speaking, the meeting opened for questions. Brian Billings, MLA board member, questioned Soler about the cost of using and maintaining ropeless fishing gear. “One size doesn’t fit all,” Soler replied. “It’s up to you if you want to use it. You have to decide what you want to do because there are going to be changes. What will work to conserve the fishery? No one knows more than the guys fishing. If it works for you, you should use it. If something better shows up later on, it’s up to you.”

Craig Stewart of Long Island wondered if NMFS had studied the impact of offshore wind farms on right whales. Sam Rauch, NMFS Deputy Assistant Administrator for regulatory programs, who accompanied Soler, responded. “We’ve done modeling work with the Department of Interior. We are actively engaged on it.”

David Cousens of South Thomaston asked about NMFS’s plans for the alternative gear marking framework, which was developed without adequate input from the lobster industry. It proposed to change rules to allow ropeless fishing but fortunately was voted down by the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC). “It’s confusing. We need to be involved in it,” he said. Rauch replied, “NMFS is under a pause until December 2028. Then the TRT will act on whether any additional regulations are needed and what those will look like. They will be seeking input [from lobstermen].”

In responding to another question about the Biological Opinion NMFS must produce by 2028, Rauch said that the process right now is for the TRT to meet later this year and in 2027. It will decide if further protections are needed and come up with recommendations on additional regulations. Then NMFS will create a proposed rule. There will be consultations and a final rule will be promulgated before the Congressional pause expires.

MLA Board member Chris Welch of Kennebunk explained that in January 2025 lobstermen from zones F and G voluntarily changed their gear when large numbers of right whales turned up in Jeffreys Basin in order to reduce the risk on entanglement. “That showed we are willing to take action. Can NMFS give us more flexibility?” he asked.

Rauch said, “We were very encouraged by that. This is the number one fishery in the country. We want the fishery to succeed. Being proactive is great. Those things make a difference. It may have a mitigating effect on measures in 2028.”

Curt Brown of Bold Coast Seafood asked if NMFS is considering ropeless gear for use only in closed areas or for adoption throughout the fishery. “Right now there’s a limited set of tools to deal with right whales. Our goal is not to prevent fishing. So closed areas with ropeless gear works,” Rauch replied. “We don’t believe ropeless is a suitable tool to use coastwide. But it is a tool that would prevent us from using other tools like closures. Ropeless is likely to be a voluntary measure always, a way to get into closed areas.”

Another member of the audience questioned the safety of ropeless gear. “It takes just a second to go over and with no endline, it’s dangerous,” he said. “We have a statutory requirement to consider life at sea,” Rauch responded. “This is part of what we are looking at. Even as a voluntary option it might not work because of safety issues. There’s a difference between large and small boats when it comes to safety. One size does not fit all.”

For those who were not able to attend the annual meeting in person, never fear! We recorded it. You can view the slides and watch the video recording posted on the MLA website at https://www.mainelobstermen.org/annual-meeting.

MLA Board Elects New Chairman – Sonny Beal

The MLA announced at its annual meeting the new Board Chairman, Sonny Beal of Beals Island, to lead the organization.

Sonny is a long-time member of the MLA and board member since 2017. His father, Ossie Beal, was MLA’s second president, serving from 1967 to 1974. Sonny’s two sons Damon and Kaden also fish for lobsters. Sonny and his family embody the heritage that MLA fights to protect. We are proud to have him leading the MLA. Special thanks to outgoing chair, Jarod Bray, for his outstanding leadership!

MLA forum Social hour

MLA’s second Annual Social was lots of fun! We don’t often make time to chill out and catch up with the MLA community. This year drew big crowd, including Senators Collins and Senator King. Thank you to our generous sponsors for making it possible.

MLA at the Forum

MLA staff had a great time meeting our members and other friends from the fishing industry at our booth during the Forum. We were excited to welcome many new members who joined during the Forum.

A big thanks to everyone who supports us!

Forum Scholarship Awards

This year the Maine Fishermen’s Forum raised $68,000 from its auctions and the many individual cash contributions received from attendees and organizations. 2026 scholarship awards included two $8,000 scholarships awarded to Leah Beal and Brevin Kenney, thanks to an anonymous fisherman’s donation.

Additional scholarship recipients include Oceania Black, Celia Brinkler, Maya Brown, Jenna Colby, Ella Cushman, Aidan Dow, Maddy Eaton, Hannah Erickson, Jackson James, Olivia Larrabee, Grace Lemoine, Mary McDonald, Alexander Pinkham, Mariah Watkinson, and Anna Zlotkowski.

Bar Harbor Bank and Trust: from left, Chelsea Sawyer, Will Hatt, Sam McGee, Rebecca Emerson, Patrice McCarron, Lisa Veazie, Marion Colombo.

MLA Golden V-Notch Award presented to Maine Banks

The MLA Golden V-notch Award is given annually to someone who goes above and beyond to support Maine’s lobster fishery. At this year’s Annual Meeting, the MLA was proud to present our 2026 Golden V-notch Award to honor three banks that were pivotal to the success of MLA’s Save Maine Lobstermen campaign.

First National Bank, from left: Kristen McAlpine , Tony McKim, President & CEO, Sonny Beal, Jake Miller, Michelle Curtis,

In 2021, Maine’s lobster industry has stunned when the National Marine Fisheries Service released a Biological Opinion that mandated a 98% risk reduction by the Maine lobster fishery. The MLA Board agreed to sue NMFS without having the funds in hand to do so.

Fortunately for the lobster industry, Machias Savings Bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, and First National Bank each stepped up big time with generous donations that made it possible for MLA to move its lawsuit forward.

Machias Savings Bank: from left, Sonny Beal, Melissa Denbow, Patrice McCarron.

The MLA is incredibly grateful, honored, and humbled that these banks placed their trust in us to preserve Maine’s fishing heritage. The lawsuit would not have been possible without their support-- and we won!

Chris Welch Receives 2026 DMR Andy Mays Award of Excellence

Department of Marine Resources (DMR) Commissioner Carl Wilson presented Chris Welch of Kennebunk the annual “DMR Andy Mays Award of Excellence” at the recent Fishermen’s Forum in Rockport.

Commissioner Wilson praised Welch, chairman of Maine’s lobster management Zone G Council, for his work with lobstermen in southern Maine to implement a rapid and coordinated response during last winter’s unprecedented aggregation of North Atlantic right whales near Jeffreys Ledge. “Chris was instrumental in bringing lobstermen to the table to craft a solution to avoid entangling the nearly 100 whales, while allowing fishermen to keep gear in the water,” said Wilson.

DMR Commissioner Carl Wilson, left, presents Kennebunk lobstermen Chris Welch the 2026 Andy Mays award.

“This was a unique challenge that had no playbook,” said Wilson. “Chris brought lobstermen together to work with DMR on a plan that relied on a combination of whale sightings data from survey teams across the region, including DMR’s whale monitoring program, and data from vessel trackers on federally permitted lobster vessels to identify areas that had the highest risk of entanglement in lobster gear.

“Chris helped coordinate a meeting with fishermen and DMR staff within days of the first sighting in January to develop a novel solution involving fishermen dropping one of two vertical lines on their string of traps. Lobstermen proactively developed a plan to reduce entanglement risk.” To date, scientists have observed no entanglements of any whales from the aggregation.

“Chris is a natural born leader. He’s been on the MLA board since 2016 and currently serves on the MLA executive board, providing strategic guidance for MLA. His ability to think critically and work collaboratively to solve complex problems has benefited this industry for years,” said Wilson.

The award is named for Southwest Harbor fisherman Andy Mays, who passed away in 2017, but who left an important legacy of participation in the management and regulatory process.

Evan Whidden Receives 2026 MLA Marine Patrol Award

Marine Patrol Specialist Evan Whidden was again honored with the Maine Lobstermen’s Association Officer of the Year Award during the Maine Fishermen’s Forum. Specialist Whidden, who joined the Marine Patrol in 2020 and serves from Harpswell to Bremen, also received the honor in 2023.

In nominating Specialist Whidden, Sergeant Wesley Dean recognized both his work ethic and professionalism. “In 2025, Evan logged 683 hours underway and hauled 9,421 lobster traps, making him the most productive Marine Patrol Specialist in the state and helping ensure the lobster fishery remained well monitored and effectively enforced.”

From left: DMR Commissioner Carl Wilson, MLA Chair Sonny Beal, Marine Patrol Specialist Evan Whidden, Marine Patrol Colonel Matt Talbot, MLA President and Executive Director Patrice McCarron, and Marine Patrol Sergeant Wesley Dean.  DMR photo.

“As captain, Evan’s steady leadership and sound judgment are valued by officers within his section and division,” said Sergeant Dean. “Officers trust his decision-making, appreciate his experience, and seek opportunities to work with him. He is self-motivated, knowledgeable about the fisheries, and leads by example during day-to-day operations.”

His work to successfully investigate two complex trap molesting cases was an example of the high professional standard he demonstrated in 2025. “Evan’s knowledge of the fishery was clearly demonstrated in these investigations,” said Sergeant Dean. “Trap-molesting cases are among the most difficult cases to successfully investigate and prosecute, requiring detailed knowledge of fishing practices, gear identification, and careful follow-through. In 2025, Evan successfully investigated and prosecuted two complex trap molesting cases, an outcome that is rarely seen in a single year.”

As a former lobsterman, Specialist Whidden brings a unique understanding of the fishery to his job. “Evan’s background as a lobster fisherman gives him practical knowledge and perspective that are well respected within the fishing community,” said Sergeant Dean. Each year the Maine Lobstermen’s Association presents its award in recognition of Marine Patrol Officers who provide outstanding service in support of the Maine lobster industry.