Maine Lobstermen's Association Update | May 2025

MLA Directors Meeting Summary

The MLA Directors met on April 9 in Belfast. Jarod Bray welcomed MLA’s newest board members, Jacob Knowles, Jordan Drouin, and Christian LaMontagne, to their first meeting. Jarod opened the meeting with a brief summary of the outcomes of the January 2025 board retreat. Highlights included bringing back the leadership training program, increasing public communication via social media, and reviewing MLA’s finances to ensure financial stability. The board also elected a new executive committee and finance committee.

This was the first board meeting with MLA’s new leadership structure. The MLA board is now led by a board chairman (Bray) and vice-chairman (Sonny Beal). The executive committee will meet regularly to share in the leadership of the organization. In addition to the Board chair and vice-chair, Bob Baines, Chris Welch, Richard Howland, John Tripp and Patrice McCarron serve on the executive committee.

MLA’s officers are elected to help run the organization; they do not need to serve on the MLA board. Several board members stated that this has been confusing to members and needs further explanation. Because the MLA is 71 years old, it had to reorganize under Maine’s modern non-profit law. As with all non-profits, the role of the MLA’s officers is to ensure that the organization is run properly by recruiting individuals who bring specific professional skills. Patrice McCarron’s title as president is functional because she is responsible for overseeing daily operations of the organization. She will also retain her title as executive director. Shannon Butler was chosen as the board secretary because she will be taking notes at meetings and preparing meeting summaries. Officers who are not board members cannot vote. All board members must be a commercial lobsterman with an active license.

Patrice noted that there was an oversight in the updated MLA Board Policies. She suggested language to codify the MLA’s longstanding policy of remaining nonpartisan. “The MLA does not endorse candidates or political parties to ensure it works to serve the best interest of the lobster industry which requires working across party lines with whomever is serving in office.” The Board unanimously affirmed its nonpartisan policy.

The MLA is partnering with the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA) to launch an educational campaign on the importance of V-notching. The two groups will update the ASMFC Lobster Board about this project at the May meeting where the repeal of the gauge increase will be discussed. The groups will work together to develop videos, a website and social media campaign to promote V-notching. The MLA is also working on funding to relaunch its program to send V-notching tools to all new entrants to Maine’s lobster fishery.

Patrice presented the credentials of a nominee to serve as MLA Treasurer. Ralph Chauvin of Kennebunk is a very experienced business professional, former CFO and accountant. The MLA board unanimously approved Mr. Chauvin as Treasurer.

Sunshine reported that memberships are going well, and the MLA has welcomed several new business and harvester members. The Jr. Harvester program, through which all student license holders receive free memberships, is going strong. The spring Jr. Harvester newsletter has been sent out.

Patrice reported that the MLA is working to launch a new membership software in time for August renewals. There are many deficiencies with the current system and many members have not had a great experience renewing their memberships. The MLA is committed to having a much-improved system in place this year.

The MLA has been busy this winter working on policy issues. At the top of the list has been the repeal of the gauge increase. The MLA has attended lobster zone council meetings to hear lobstermen’s views on the issue and remain engaged in broader outreach. The MLA has testifying on a number of bills at the Legislature. Among the bills that the MLA has helped to defeat included a bill to change all zone exit/entry ratios to 1:1 and a bill to create a retiree lobster license for those who are not currently working as lobstermen. The MLA is monitoring the development of the new whale rule, which has fallen behind NMFS’s original schedule. NMFS will begin online Take Reduction Team meetings this summer.

The MLA discussed emerging issues including the need to do more outreach on the importance of V-notching, concern that Area 3 is illegally landing lobsters, concern over UMaine’s launch of a ¼ scale wind turbine, and concern over the requirement that 8-year olds must complete landings reports in addition to apprentice logbooks.

The MLA’s lawsuit against Monterey Bay Aquarium is on hold again. The court earlier this year denied the Aquarium’s arguments that the case did not have standing to move forward. Since then, the Aquarium has taken its arguments to the appeals court. As a result, the case is stalled for now and briefs on whether or not the case should be allowed to proceed will be filed in the appeals court.

The meeting ended with an update on the lobster season from each member. All board members reported that the winter was OK, but dropped off in early spring. April has been very slow with landings along the coast generally a pound per trap or less. However, lobstermen are setting traps. A strong price was reported ranging from $11 to as high as $12.25. There is concern over what this season will bring given the instability of the market due to tariffs.

The next meeting is scheduled for May 13, 5:00 at Darbys. Gerry Cushman will host the June board meeting in Port Clyde.

ASMFC Meets May 5 to Repeal Gauge Increase

The ASMFC Lobster Board meets on May 5 to hear reports from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts on industry meetings to discuss resiliency measures for the lobster resource and to vote on Addendum 32 (to repeal the gauge and vent increases). ASMFC held an online public hearing on April 10 to take comment on the proposed gauge repeal which was attended by more than 100 stakeholders. Lobstermen from Maine overwhelmingly supported the gauge repeal and expressed frustration that lobstermen from other areas can land the V-notched and oversize lobsters they throw back. In contrast, lobstermen from the Outer Cape were angry their V-notch definition was changed from ¼” to 1/8” when measures for other areas may not be implemented. A lawyer representing those lobstermen said they planned to sue the Commission. The MLA testified at the public hearing and submitted written comments supporting the repeal of the gauge increase. The Lobster Board will also review an update on the ongoing lobster Benchmark Stock Assessment, and discuss vessel tracking rules.

Trump Tariffs

On February 1, President Trump announced a 25% blanket tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada, including lobster, and 10% tariff on goods from China. The trade policy ignited concern that it would cause supply chain disruptions and economic harm throughout Maine and Canada’s lobster industries. The implementation of the tariffs was then delayed.

On April 2, President Trump announced a long list of new tariffs placed on dozens of countries, but Canada and Mexico were exempt from the baseline 10% tariff rate. However, cars imported from Canada were included in the Administration’s 25% tariff on automakers. So far, Maine’s lobster industry has been spared because lobster falls under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a 2020 trade agreement that replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Additional Trump Actions

President Donald Trump has taken several actions that will have significant impact on the country’s oceans and fisheries.

On April 17, Trump issued an executive order called Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness which aims to ease regulations on the fishing and aquaculture industries, as well as review national marine monuments for potential commercial fishing access. The order instructed the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, to review all existing marine national monuments within 180 days and make recommendations on opening them to commercial fishing. The Secretary of Commerce also must identify the most heavily overregulated fisheries within 30 days and take action to reduce regulatory burdens, in coordination with Regional Fishery Management Councils. In addition, it called for development of an “America First Seafood Strategy” to promote the production, sale, and export of U.S. seafood. That same day, the president signed another executive order, Unleashing American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific, lifting restrictions on commercial fishing in portions of the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument.

A January 20 memorandum from President Trump paused all leases in federal waters for offshore wind and paused new or renewed approvals for onshore or offshore wind projects on federal land until the outcome of a “comprehensive assessment and review of federal wind leases and permitting practices.” Although the order described the provisions as temporary, no end date was specified. In an April 11 letter to the University of Maine, the Department of Energy halted activity on $15.8 million in offshore wind research projects, including the University’s ¼ scale turbine floating turbine that was weeks away from a final launch off Castine.

On April 16, Department of the Interior Doug Burgum ordered construction of the fully-permitted Empire Wind offshore wind development off New York to cease “until further review of information that suggests the Biden administration rushed through its approval without sufficient analysis.” Empire Wind, a project run by the Norwegian oil and gas company Equinor, received its lease during Trump’s first term. It had been fully permitted by the Department of Interior and was set to begin construction in May.

On April 17, the Department of the Interior and Department of Commerce issued a proposed rule to rescind the Endangered Species Act (ESA) definition of “harm” in ESA regulations. Under the ESA, the term “take” means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct.”  The Fish and Wildlife Service expanded the meaning of “take” when it defined “harm” to include habitat modifications. The rulemaking would eliminate the agency interpretation to preserve the ESA’s original definition of “take.”

This expands Trump’s actions on the ESA. Shortly after his inauguration in January, President Trump declared a national energy emergency via executive order. One part of the order states that the ESA can’t be allowed to serve as an obstacle to energy development. Under the ESA, federal agencies must ensure their actions won’t drive species to extinction by consulting with either the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or NOAA Fisheries. Trump’s executive order directs federal agencies to identify a list of energy projects that could bypass this process. The order also requires a committee consisting of the secretaries of Agriculture, Interior and Army, EPA and NOAA Fisheries administrators, the chairperson of the Council of Economic Advisors and a state representative to convene on a quarterly basis to determine if energy projects should move forward even if they will drive species to extinction.

Right Whale Updates

NMFS announced the early retirement of GARFO’s Marine Mammal/Sea Turtle Branch supervisor and former Take Reduction Team (TRT) coordinator Colleen Coogan, effective April 30. Mike Asaro, who is the National Right Whale Program Lead, will fill in as the Marine Mammal/Sea Turtle Branch supervisor and lead TRT through its next phase of work.

In preparation for the November 2025 TRT meeting, NMFS will hold a series of summer webinars on Wednesday afternoons. These informational webinars will be recorded and available to the public.

• May 21, 2025, 3-4:30 p.m.

  On Demand Gear Research and Development

  
  

• June 4, 2025, 3-4:30 p.m.

  Right Whale Monitoring and Detection Along the East Coast

  
  

• July 16, 2025, 3-4 p.m.

  Unusual Mortality Events: Large Whale Updates

  
  

• August 13, 2025, 3-4:30 p.m.

  WHALE Decision Support Tool 101: Review of the Tool

  
  

• August 20, 2025, 2:30-4:30 p.m.

  WHALE Decision Support Tool 201: Updates to the Fishery and Whale Layers

• September 10, 2025, 2:30-4:30 p.m.

  Evaluating North Atlantic Right Whale Persistence

  
  

NMFS reports that more than 180 unique individual right whales were sighted in the Cape Cod Bay thus far, comprising nearly half the known population. The right whale calving season ended with 11 new calves with 7 mother/calf pairs sighted in Massachusetts waters.

Coast Guard Plans to Remove 100+ Navigation Aids in Maine

The U.S. Coast Guard has proposed a wide-reaching plan to remove or alter hundreds of navigational markers along the Northeast U.S. coast, including buoys, daybeacons, and lights that have long helped mariners safely navigate coastal and inland waters. The removals are intended to modernize and right size the setup of buoys as part of an effort to streamline the Aids to Navigation (ATON), most of which were deployed before modern GPS systems.

For a list of harbors slated for removal click HERE

For an unofficial interactive map of the areas where markers are slated for removal, click HERE

"The MLA is concerned because these buoys are not just markers, they are essential tools that help ensure the safety of everyone who works or recreates on the water. They are especially critical in areas prone to thick fog, strong currents, or hidden hazards," the MLA said in a statement. "Their removal could jeopardize the safety of those who depend on them, and we urge the Coast Guard to reconsider."

If you are worried about how these removals could impact safety, access, and local knowledge in your area, please email the Coast Guard detailing your specific concerns. Be sure to include your role on the water, the size of your vessel, how the aid supports navigation, and why you are concerned. Refer to Project No. 01-25-015 in your comments.

The Coast Guard is accepting public comments and feedback on its proposal via email at DPWPublicComments@uscg.mil until June 13.

DMR Menhaden Rule

DMR has adopted its 2025 menhaden regulations, effective April 22. The Atlantic Menhaden Fishery Season runs May 1 through November 30. The non-commercial fishery begins May 1, and pound net operators may begin May 1 with incidental catch limit of 1,050 pounds.

The commercial state allocation fishery begins , June 9, the second Monday of June. Menhaden may only be landed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays each week. Catch is limited to 17,850 pounds per harvester vessel per week, and each harvester vessel is limited to one landing per calendar day. It is unlawful for a harvester vessel to sell, give or transfer menhaden they have taken to any other vessel while at sea and it is unlawful to receive menhaden from a harvester vessel while at sea.

The Episodic Event Set-Aside was amended to a weekly limit of 14,000 pounds or 40 barrels with landings allowed on Mondays and Thursdays. If another state participates, Maine will drop back to a daily limit to reduce risk of overage. The designated partnership agreement program initiated in 2024 has been removed.

Herring Research Assessment

In late April, NMFS announced successful completion of a review of the herring research track assessment. The new assessment features the implementation of a new assessment model allowing for incorporation of environmental factors and a better estimate of uncertainty. It also provides a robust way to evaluate stock dynamics and investigate population trends for Atlantic herring.

Research Surveys Underway in Maine

NH/Maine Inshore Trawl Survey began April 28 in southern Maine and will work its way up the coast finishing in Downeast Maine on May 30. Survey information and detailed charts with tow locations are available on the DMR website. The survey will be conducted by the F/V Robert Michael monitors Channels 16 and 13. Chief scientists, Robyn Linner can be reached on the boat by cell at 207-350-6561.

The Maine Coastal Mapping Initiative will be conducting benthic mapping from May 15 through October 31. Fieldwork will consist of seafloor sonar mapping with a pole-mounted Kongsberg EM2042 multibeam echosounder (MBES) aboard the F/V Titan, a 66’ dragger. The F/V Titan will run along pre-determined survey lines at <7 kts. The location areas are between 9-57 miles southeast of Portland and 15-65 miles south of Boothbay Harbor. Survey areas are west of Jeffreys Bank, north and west of Jeffreys Ledge, east of West Cod Ledge, and south of Monhegan. Survey trips will depart and return to Portland. Transit to the various survey areas within the larger effort area will be conducted along straight lines once clear of Casco Bay. 

To reach the F/V Titan, contact Michael Love at 207-749-2122 or lovefisheries@hotmail.com. The survey does not anticipate gear loss, however if gear is lost, contact Jesse Minor at 207-350-7816 or jesse.minor@maine.gov or contact your local Marine Patrol Officer.