Maine Lobstermen's Association Update | June 2026

MLA Board Meeting Summary

The MLA Board met on May 6. MLA Board chairman Sonny Beal welcomed Scott Smithwick who presented an update on the MLA Vessel Insurance program. Brown & Brown (formerly Smithwick & Mariners) has served as the MLA’s vessel insurance program broker since 1993. Great American served as the underwriter for several decades but the program transitioned to Travelers Insurance about five years ago. Travelers has been a great fit for the program, providing extensive coverage and excellent claims service.

The MLA policy offers many unique benefits. A standard policy includes expanded named insured endorsement (if you’ve incorporated and forgot to tell insurance company), a held coverage provision during vessel layup periods, and crew warranty to cover additional crew members when temporarily added to a vessel. The policy also provides blanket coverage when the vessel is carrying scientists, for pleasure use, machinery, and lobster boat races (will not cover engine but will cover liability).

In addition, the MLA policy includes coverage for seining, gillnetting, and fish trapping with the standard deductible; however, scalloping requires an additional endorsement.

Additional information is available on the MLA web site (https://www.mainelobstermen.org/vessel-insurance). A quote can be generated over the phone in 5–10 minutes. A policy may be issued subject to a survey showing the vessel is in safe operating condition.

MLA Junior Harvester Members were mailed a new membership card, sticker sheet, and merchandise voucher redeemable for a hat or a V-notch tool. All Maine student license holders who obtained a license through 2025 are included in this free program. This year’s program has already seen strong engagement; the V-notch tool has proven especially popular. Lobstermen and businesses can join or renew through the MLA website or by calling the office.

The MLA received another grant to send free V-notch tools to new license holders. This mailing to young harvesters should go out in late spring.

Patrice McCarron presented several policy updates. The Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026, introduced by Senators King and Collins (among others), would make commercial fishermen and fishing businesses eligible for USDA loan, credit and marketing programs, but details are still in development. The draft bill text is not available yet. The bill’s provisions will move through Congress as part of the Farm Bill reauthorization, which must be passed by Congress.

On May 1, Congressman Jarod Golden issued a press release announcing that he had introduced a new bill to extend the right whale rule pause to 2035, noting that the Trump administration agreed to sign the legislation if passed. The MLA has been in contact with Maine’s delegation strongly supporting this bill as one of several paths forward. Golden’s bill must go through the full Congressional process for it to be implemented.

Patrice attended the ASMFC’s lobster and menhaden meetings during the first week of May in Washington, D.C. The Lobster Board reviewed a Technical Committee report quantifying lobster landings decrease and spawning stock biomass increase if the minimum gauge increases had been implemented [see below]. The Lobster Board established a steering committee to develop management goals for the lobster fishery, which includes industry members.

The ASMFC’s menhaden board discussed a draft proposal with several options to reduce the amount of menhaden allocated to the Chesapeake Bay reduction fishery [see below]. This could affect future allocations to the bait fishery, potentially making more bait available for Maine lobstermen. The proposal will be further developed for review at the August meeting.

The MLA board discussed the state’s process for contacting lobstermen about non-renewal of license and will continue discussions with DMR to improve this process. The board also reviewed the information sheet on the child labor laws and will pass on any questions regarding this issue to DMR. The MLA is making plans to continue the V-notch campaign again this summer.

Board members provided updates from local harbors with most reporting that spring lobstering has been slow and not profitable. However, catch had picked up, at least temporarily, in Zone G. All reported that the water temperatures were still very cold, but nevertheless, lobstermen are beginning to set gear.

MLA Jr. Harvester Update

As part of the MLA’s ongoing commitment to protecting the future of Maine’s lobstering industry, every student lobster license holder receives a free annual MLA membership. In early May, 784 membership cards were mailed to students across the state — arriving in bright red envelopes so they wouldn’t be missed!

Each free membership includes quarterly emailed Junior Harvester newsletters filled with fishery news, conservation information, and industry updates written specifically for young lobstermen.

They are flying off the shelf: the MLA's stainless steel V-notch tool.

Every Junior Harvester member received a membership card, sticker sheet and QR code to choose a free piece of MLA merchandise as part of their membership benefits. This year’s merchandise options include V-notch tools, for the first time ever!

Nearly 100 students have already requested a tool, demonstrating the next generation’s commitment to conservation and stewardship. MLA’s initial supply was claimed almost immediately, but we are restocking, and the next batch of tools are expected to ship in early June.

Seeing so many young fishermen eager to use V-notch tools is a powerful reminder that the future of Maine’s lobster fishery is in capable hands. These students are not only learning the trade, but they are embracing the responsibility that comes with protecting the lobster resource today and for future generations.

The MLA is proud to invest in the next generation of lobstermen by helping pass down the values of stewardship, sustainability, and conservation that have defined Maine’s fishing communities for generations.

The Alewives have returned

Alewives are anadromous (sea-run) fish that spend the majority of their lives at sea but return to freshwater to spawn. Runs generally occur between May 15 to June 15 depending on water temps and river flows. Maine’s conservation efforts have supported growing runs of alewives and more than 20 alewife runs being fished. There are nearly 40 municipally controlled fisheries in Maine. Maine landed 2.5 million pounds in 2025 valued at $1.2 million, providing an important local bait source for Maine’s lobster fishery.

Lobster Advisory Council Meeting

The Lobster Advisory Council (LAC) met on May 14. The LAC received an update on the American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026 which, if passed, would qualify U.S. fishermen and seafood businesses for USDA benefits. The members voted to send a letter of support urging Congress to include these provisions in the Farm bill amendments.

The LAC reviewed an analysis by DMR of potential benefits of several measures identified by the LAC I comparison to a 1 millimeter increase in the minimum gauge. The analysis looked at the potential benefits of reducing the Area 1 maximum gauge, reducing the Area 3 maximum gauge, adding more escape vents, increasing the size of bio-panels, releasing Stage IV hatchery-reared larvae, prohibiting the landing of culls, and purchasing $100,000 worth of seeder lobsters to V-notch and release. The LAC moved forward three of these actions aimed at improving the health of the lobster population.

• Increase the size of bio-panels to 4x3 mesh and ensure the opening is unobstructed when the panel opens; to be phased in over two years.

• Explore whether money from the Lobster Seed Fund could be made available for zone councils, some of which could be used to purchase and release V-notched breeder females. DMR will report back on Lobster Seed Fund finances.

• Invite UMaine and the Downeast Institute to attend a future meeting to discuss the potential development of hatcheries.

The LAC also considered a recommendation to phase in claw-saver bottoms in lobster traps as they are replaced, but tabled this issue due to questions related to lobstermen who do not purchase new traps.

The Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative has seven open board seats to fill. The LAC is responsible for making nominations to the Commissioner for the dealer and public seats. DMR shared nominations received to date. The LAC nominated Elizabeth Horton and Cam Dyment for the dealer seats and Meaghan Dillon, John Petersdorf, and Ron Musetti for the public seats.

LAC member John Drouin requested that the LAC send a survey to the industry regarding the future of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative and circulated draft survey questions. The LAC tabled this for discussion at the next meeting so members have time to consider this idea. The LAC plans to hold its next meeting in June.

ASMFC Lobster Update

The Lobster Board met on May 4 to review the Technical Committee report on how the lobster resource would have been affected if the minimum gauge increases had been implemented. The analysis determined that landings would have decreased by 4%, spawning stock biomass would have increased by 46%, and the exploitation rate would have declined by 17% in the year following implementation. Commissioner Wilson noted the importance of conducting an economic analysis on any future management proposals. He added that given the 20% decrease in the value of Maine lobster landings in 2025, it would have been difficult for many lobstermen to absorb the impacts of the gauge increase on top of that.

The board formed a steering committee to begin a planning process to develop goals that will guide future management of the fishery. The need to pair new management proposals with sound economic analysis was a theme expressed throughout the meeting. Steering Committee membership includes three representatives from ASMFC, four fisheries managers (Maine, NH, Mass, RI), three lobster scientists (Maine, Mass, NMFS), and seven lobstermen (three from Maine, one from NH, two from MA, one from Area 3). Richard Howland, John Jordan, and John Drouin were selected to serve on this committee.

ASMFC Menhaden Update

A menhaden haul in the Chesapeake. CBF Photo.

The ASMFC’s menhaden board met May 5 to discuss a draft proposal that included several options to reduce the amount of menhaden allocated to the Chesapeake Bay reduction fishery. The total menhaden quota is 186,840 mt, which is allocated among the Atlantic states based on historic landings. Currently, Virginia receives 75% of the overall menhaden quota (139,117 mt). The Chesapeake Bay quota of 51,000 mt is a sub-allocation within Virginia’s quota. Any reduction of the Chesapeake Bay quota could increase future allocations to the bait fishery. The proposal will be further developed for review at the August meeting. The MLA will continue its strong presence at ASMFC meetings advocating for Maine’s lobstermen.

2026 Bait

2026 Herring Season

The Area 1A herring fishery opens July 19 with a quota allocation of 2,401 mt. ASMFC makes 73% of the quota available from June through September (1,748 mt), and the remaining 27% from Oct through December (653 mt). Vessels will be allowed five consecutive landing days a week, with one landing per 24-hour period, and up to 240,000 lbs (6 trucks) per week. A harvester vessel may transfer herring at-sea to another harvester vessel but may not make any at-sea transfers to a carrier vessel. Carrier vessels may not receive at-sea transfers from a harvester vessel. Small mesh bottom trawl vessels with an Atlantic herring Limited Access Category C or Open Access D permit may land herring six consecutive days a week.

2026 Menhaden Season

Maine’s commercial State Allocated menhaden fishery opens Monday, June 8. Harvest days are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with a weekly vessel limit of 17,850 lbs (51 barrels) per harvester vessel. The limit may be caught in a single day or spread over the three harvest days. Storage of menhaden is required immediately upon harvest in either fish tanks, barrels, crates or totes. At sea transfers are not allowed. Beginning in September, open harvest days for the state allocated fishery are Mondays and Thursdays only, with a daily trip limit of 7,000 lbs, however, pound net, stop seine and fish weirs may harvest seven days a week with a weekly landing limit of 14,000 lbs. DMR will provide notice when the state allocation quota is harvested and the fishery enters the Episodic Event Set-Aside fishery (EESA) during which harvest days will Mondays and Thursdays, with a weekly vessel limit of 4,000 lbs (40 barrels).

Right Whales – Take Reduction Team Webinar

NMFS held an informational webinar for the Take Reduction Team (TRT) on May 12 to provide recent entanglement data, calving and population updates, and other information. The TRT is composed of fishermen, scientists, conservationists, and state and federal officials from Maine to Florida who advise NMFS on plans to mitigate risks to right whales from fishing gear. NMFS presented the timeline for the development of new whale rules to take place over 31 months, with a proposed rule expected in the fall of 2027 and a final rule by the end of 2028.

NMFS confirmed the latest right whale population to be 384 whales. The population has stabilized for four straight years, with births outpacing deaths. In 2025, 23 new calves were observed and 19 of these have been resighted in the northeast. NMFS updated analysis on probability of extinction for right whales. The model run using mortality data from 2020-2023 shows a low probability of extinction and equates to a 70% risk reduction. This is a significant improvement to scenarios using mortality data from 2013 to 2019.

Trap Tag Deadline June 1

2025 lobster tags remain valid through May 31, 2026. If you have not purchased your full 2025 tag allocation by June 1, 2026, you may only buy up to 100 additional tags beyond what you purchased before that date.

Trap tags cannot be delivered to a PO Box. You must provide a physical address to ensure that your tags are delivered. Tags take 4–6 weeks to arrive. If you have not received your tags within the 4-week window, please notify DMR to research your tag order so that it will be delivered on time. If you supply DMR with an email address, you will be sent a tracking number once your tags are processed and ready for shipment.

Lobster Apprentice and Student Licenses: Trap tag orders take 4–6 weeks. Your sponsor must be licensed before you log apprentice time. Notify DMR once your sponsor is licensed. Applicants for student licenses must be enrolled as students. Applicants 18 or older must provide proof of enrollment.

If you are ordering tags with multiple boats, please make sure your INIT tags are on your primary vessel – not listed as a MB under the Status area on your license. You must submit an affidavit requesting early tag use if you need to fish with 2026 tags before June 1.

If you intend to fish a secondary zone, you must select it when renewing your lobster license. Secondary zones cannot be added later. Student license holders are not eligible for second zone tags.

Rep. Golden Proposes to Extend Whale Rules Pause to 2025

Congressman Jared Golden introduced legislation (H.R. 8509) to extend the moratorium on federal fishing regulations aimed at protecting North Atlantic right whales until 2035, and the bill recently secured the backing of the Trump administration. The current regulatory pause is set to expire in 2028.

The MLA strongly supports this legislation which builds on the existing six-year pause through 2028 successfully obtained by Maine’s Congressional delegation, DMR and the MLA. More research is needed to determine how, when, and where additional measures may be necessary to protect right whales. Extending the pause would give the state the time it needs to conduct critical research, funded by Congress through the existing law, to better document the overlap between right whales and Maine’s lobster fishery. The right whale population has increased over the last four years, and 23 new calves were born this year — the highest number since 2009. The MLA will continue fighting to stop over-regulation of Maine’s lobster fishery and ensure that any future whale protections also preserve our lobstering heritage.

MLA still Opposes Ropeless Fishing

Recent news coverage misrepresented MLA’s position on ropeless fishing. The MLA has opposed ropeless fishing since the idea was introduced more than a decade ago — and our position has never wavered. Ropeless fishing is cost-prohibitive, inefficient, unreliable, unenforceable, and operationally infeasible. It poses serious safety risks to crew, is divisive among fishermen, and threatens the survival of Maine’s small-boat fleet. Ropeless fishing is not wanted or needed in Maine’s lobster fishery. MLA will always stand firmly against mandates or policies that would force unworkable, unsafe technology on Maine lobstermen.

Buoys E & F are Back

Last December, Buoy E, located near Monhegan Island, broke free from its mooring during a powerful winter storm and went adrift. The University of Maine acted quickly to recover the wayward buoy and brough it back to its warehouse. A few months later, Buoy F, located in Penobscot Bay, sustained serious damage, and the team jumped into action to prepare a replacement buoy. Both buoys were returned to their stations with support from UConn’s R/V Connecticut and are now transmitting weather and ocean observations. If you notice an issue with a buoy or the NERACOOS Mariners Dashboard, submit a report to NERACOOS through the Mariners dashboard at http://mariners.neracoos.org.