Maine Lobstermen's Association Update | October 2025

MLA Directors Meeting Summary

The MLA Board of Directors met on September 3 in Belfast. Chairman Jarod Bray opened the meeting by welcoming Megan Ware, Deirdre Gilbert and Rob Watts from Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR).

Megan Ware provided an overview of the New England Fishery Management Council’s (NEFMC) proposed alternative gear marking framework, noting concern with both the process and limited outreach to the lobster industry. This action would provide a pathway for buoyless fixed gear to be legally fished without obtaining an exempt fishing permit (EFP). The framework identifies several options to decide the scope of where and when ropeless gear could be fished but does not define criteria for what constitutes an alternative gear mark, leaving significant uncertainty.

Each October lobstermen kept track of egged and V-notched lobsters they hauled. MLA photo.

Lobster is not managed through the Council so few in the industry are familiar with the Council process. Although the alternative gear marking framework is being developed for Council managed fisheries, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) intends to implement that plan for the federal lobster fishery. Given the lack of clarity and communication on what this would mean for the lobster fishery, the ASMFC Lobster Board recommended delay of the framework. The ASMFC Lobster Advisory Panel determined that they did not have enough information to weigh in on the proposal. The MLA and other industry groups have opposed the framework. DMR is formally asking NEFMC to provide clear guidance on required changes before implementation.

The NEFMC has scheduled discussion of the framework on September 25, when final action is expected. The September 25th meeting will take place in Gloucester but can be attended via webinar. Ware encourages fishermen to submit written comments and questions directly to the Council. The MLA voted to submit written comments to NEFMC opposing the framework.

Deirdre Gilbert and Rob Watts addressed ongoing reporting concerns raised by the MLA Board, including burdensome reporting requirements for student license holders and co-op bookkeepers, and frustration over issues with the integration of federal/state reporting requirements.

Watts explained that the commercial lobster reporting requirements, including those for students, are set by ASMFC, therefore can only be addressed through the lobster management plan. He noted that students can report through the Maine LEEDS program, which can be prefilled with 95% of information required to simplify the data entry. Board members raised concern that it is burdensome for kids to complete daily catch reports and log apprentice hours through two separate systems. Gilbert explained that the state has explored options to move apprentice program logbooks online but it is tricky because the system must allow for sponsors to sign off on the student/apprentice logs to keep the program credible. DocuSign was suggested as a potential mechanism to streamline digital paperwork between students and sponsors. The board also discussed ideas such as exempting kids under age 14 from the reporting requirement and instead replacing it with an annual report. They also discussed the challenges of accumulating the required number of hours or days if the kids don’t start young. It was suggested that these requirements be revisited but board members noted students and apprentices must meet the same requirements.

Board members reported there has been turnover among co-op bookkeepers due to the difficulty in meeting the reporting requirements. Watts agreed that it is a lot of work for bookkeepers to track all of the information. NMFS’s port agent Pam retired which has meant less support for the industry if they encounter issues. He noted that Maine accounts for more than half of all commercial fishing records collected on the east coast.

Watts encouraged fishermen to use the DMR Reporting Hotline 207-633-9414. Staff are available to help with reporting and technology issues. Track lines from the federal lobster trackers can now be viewed on the VESL app if using the latest version. DMR is always seeking feedback on how to improve the app.

Bigelow Lab’s right whale distribution model predicts that conditions along the Maine coast will be very similar to last year. DMR and Marine Patrol are discussing potential responses if right whales aggregate around Jeffrey’s again this winter. Board members Thom Werner and Chris Welch, and other Zone G fishermen will meet with DMR to discuss this authority and share concerns. This year to date, four whales (humpbacks and fin) have been sighted entangled in Maine waters. Two have since been re-sighted without gear; two remain entangled. There have been no new right whale entanglements reported in 2025.

Board member Gerry Cushman raised concern that some lobster bait is now coming in with a 15% tariff, which will make it even more expensive to go lobstering. Board members provided an update on the lobster fishery and price in their areas. For most, it has been a slow summer with things starting to pick up in late August, although landings varied widely from inshore to offshore and in different ports along the coast. Most board members were optimistic that landings would continue to build through the fall. The price ranged from $5.75 to $6.50 for new shell and $6.75 to $7.50 for old shell.

It’s Membership Renewal Time!

The end of summer means that it’s time for many lobstermen to renew their MLA membership! Lobstermen and businesses with expiring memberships will be receiving renewal notices via email and standard mail. Renewals can be done through the MLA website, or by filling out and returning a paper membership form. Once you fill out the renewal form, you can pay online with a credit card or mail a check to the office. Members may also opt-in to receive text message updates.

If you haven’t already completed the MLA survey, be sure to do so when you renew your membership! The survey takes only 5 minutes and all responses are confidential. Click this link to fill it out www.surveymonkey.com/r/8QHD3J6 or scan the QR code here. If you have questions about your membership or need assistance, we’re here to help.

Call us at 207-967-4555 or email shannon@mainelobstermen.org.

V-Notch Campaign

Hope your fall season has included V-notching lots of eggers! The MLA/NEFSA V-notch campaign will continue throughout the fall. Keep an eye out for the V-notching poster which has been distributed to buying stations, co-ops, harbormasters, and businesses. Our ongoing social media outreach is racking up new views each week. And later this year the MLA will provide V-notching tools to all new commercial license holders.

If you have photos or videos of V-notching while fishing, we’d love for you to share them. The more lobstermen who V-notch, the more hope we have that this amazing fishery will be here for future generations. Email your V-notching photos or videos to kevin@mainelobstermen.org. Thank you!

Throwback – the MLA V-Notch Survey

From 1982 through 2015, the MLA conducted its annual V-notch Survey in October. Lobstermen were mailed a survey card to record the number of eggers, V-notch, oversize and short lobsters caught during any two days of the survey week. Early October was chosen based on the historic run of eggers and V-notched lobsters at a time when the weather was still good enough to haul regularly. This collaborative research project proved the effectiveness of V-notching as a conservation measure to protect lobster brood stock in the Gulf of Maine, and aided in its adoption as a core conservation measure for the fishery.

By 2015, It was no longer necessary for the industry to track eggers and V-notch lobsters on their own due to the expansion of the DMR’s lobster sea sampling program, which had built a long-time series of data on the Maine lobster fishery.

MLA Hosts U.S. Secretary of Labor and Delegation Staff

On August 27, the MLA hosted the U. S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer at Ready Seafood’s live facility in Portland where she learned about the Maine lobster fishery and some of the challenges facing the industry. The visit was extremely positive and constructive. MLA staff and several board members also spent an afternoon with Senator Collins fisheries staffer, which included a short lobster fishing trip and a meeting to discuss priorities and challenges facing the lobster industry.

MLA executive director Patrice McCarron and Sec. of Labor Chavez-DeRemer

ASMFC Benchmark Lobster Stock Assessment Peer Review

The ASMFC held a Review Workshop for the American Lobster Benchmark Stock Assessment September 2 to 5. The assessment, developed by the American Lobster Technical Committee and Stock Assessment Subcommittee, evaluates the status of American lobster stocks along the U.S. Atlantic coast. Benchmark assessments are in-depth analyses of the stock’s condition, incorporating new data sources, advanced modeling techniques, and updated reference points. ASMFC typically conducts a benchmark stock assessment for lobster every five years and provides an annual update on the status of the fishery in the off years.

The previous benchmark stock assessment for American lobster was completed in 2020. The 2020 assessment determined the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank stock was at an all-time high abundance and was neither depleted nor experiencing overfishing. However, the Southern New England stock was at time series low abundance, significantly depleted, but not experiencing overfishing. Please note the 2025 draft assessment report and peer review report will not be made publicly available until mid-October as part of the American Lobster Management Board’s Annual Meeting materials.

Survey on Accessing Real-time Weather, Ocean Conditions

The NERACOOS Mariners’ Dashboard provides real-time weather and ocean info to help plan your time on the water, and they need your help to make it even better. Please take a few minutes to let them know what works, what doesn’t, and what would make the Dashboard more useful for you by filling out a short survey available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V5F5Z7P. As a thank-you, survey respondents will be entered into a sweepstakes for a YETI cooler.

Seafood Import Bans to Protect Marine Mammals Begin Jan. 1

On August 29, NOAA Fisheries released a list of 46 countries that do not meet the same standards as the U.S. for managing marine mammal bycatch in commercial fisheries. The agency determined that 12 countries failed to meet the standard for all fisheries and 34 nations failed the standard for certain fisheries. Beginning January 1, 2026, seafood imports from those nation’s fisheries will be prohibited.

NOAA Fisheries also determined that 89 nations were determined to have comparable marine mammal protections in place that match the U.S. standard. NMFS has determined that all of Canada’s seafood exports to the U.S. are comparable in effectiveness to the U.S. regulatory program.

The 2025 comparability findings are required under the import provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). A comparability finding requires a nation to demonstrate it prohibits the intentional killing of marine mammals or has procedures to certify its seafood exports are not the product of intentional killing, and that its incidental bycatch management program is comparable in effectiveness to the U.S. program. The complete lists of countries and specific fisheries that received full, partial, or no comparability findings at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/international-affairs/2025-marine-mammal-protection-act-comparability-finding-determinations.

Bait Updates – Menhaden and Herring

Menhaden

Maine closed the state allocated menhaden fishery, effective August 25. Maine’s menhaden quota for FY2025 was 24,510,314 pounds. Following the closure, DMR requested approval to participate in the Episodic Event Set Aside (EESA) fishery program, which opened on August 28. The EESA quota is 5,148,896 pounds, to be shared between Maine and Massachusetts.

The EESA fishery closed on September 21. However, on September 22 DMR secured additional quota via transfers to allow harvest to continue uninterrupted, under the same EESA effort controls. Maine vessels may harvest on Mondays and Thursdays with a daily vessel limit of 7,000 pounds or 20 barrels. Menhaden must be stored immediately upon harvest in fish tanks, barrels, crates or totes. Transfer at sea is not allowed, and trip level reports are due the same day as landing.

Herring

The Area 1A Atlantic herring fishery was closed on August 5 when the fishery was projected to have harvested 92% of the Season 1 quota (June 1 through September 30). As of mid-September, landings from Area 1A have exceeded the current sub-ACL; landings are at an estimated 937 mt and the area remains closed. ASMFC’s Atlantic Herring Management Board has set the effort control measures for Season 2 to zero landing days through November 4. However, 1,000 mt was reallocated to Area 1A based on low catches from the Canadian New Brunswick weir fishery. The Area 1A fishery will move to two (2) con­secutive landing days on November 5 until 92% of the quota has been caught. Harvesters are prohibited from landing more than 2,000 pounds of Atlantic herring per trip from Area 1A while the Area 1A fishery is closed.

The ASMFC announced that the Eastern Maine Spawning Closure is in effect from August 28 through October 8. The Western Maine and MA-NH Spawning closures are in effect from September 23 through November 3. These are the default closure dates when no herring samples are taken.

Cape Cod Bay Low Oxygen Conditions

On September 15, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) reported decreasing dissolved oxygen levels at some locations in the southern half of Cape Cod Bay. Levels near the seabed are considered mildly hypoxic with a few considered severely hypoxic and could result in fish and shellfish mortalities.

While no prolonged periods of severely hypoxic conditions have been detected yet, declining dissolved oxygen levels are concerning. Many mobile bottom dwelling animals, like lobsters, will move to avoid hypoxic conditions when they can but will die if stuck in traps and exposed to hypoxia for more than a few hours. Lobstermen working in or near the area should look for signs of hypoxia, which includes unusual amounts of lethargic or dead lobsters, crabs, or finfish in the traps.

DMF recommends fishermen check traps frequently and possibly consider moving gear out of the affected region to prevent trapping lobsters or crabs in hypoxic conditions. Dissolved oxygen conditions can change rapidly based on wind and waves and it is difficult to predict exactly where or when hypoxic conditions will occur. Updated maps are available at www.mass.gov/capecodbaydo. Fishermen are asked to report unusual observations of lethargic or dead lobsters to Tracy Pugh at tracy.pugh@mass.gov.

Coast Guard Seeks Public Input by Nov. 15 on Revised Changes to Navigation Aids

On September 20, the U.S. Coast Guard announced that it is reopening public comments on proposed changes to Aids to Navigation changes in the Northeast until Nov. 15, 2025. The original Coastal Buoy Modernization Proposal (CBMP) received nearly 3,000 public comments enabling the Coast Guard to assess and adjust proposed changes.

As a result of the comprehensive public feedback, the Coast Guard's course of action changed for more than half of the original CBMP buoys: 121 aids were removed from proposed discontinuation; 71 aids remain proposed for discontinuation with supporting changes to nearby buoys (relocations, lighting, sound signal additions and/or AIS virtual Aids to Navigation); 162 buoys remain proposed for discontinuation without additional proposed changes.

The main objective of the proposal is to ensure long-term buoy system sustainability at the most navigationally critical locations for mariners while better understanding how navigation practices are changing through tools like GPS location, radar, AIS, electronic charts, and navigation apps. The CBMP update seeks to balance the use of physical aids with other navigation tools.

Interested mariners are strongly encouraged to comment on this revised plan in writing, either personally or through an organization. All comments will be carefully considered prior to the Comment Period end date of November 15.

Please include the the formal aid name (with LLNR), your vessel type (recreational or commercial), and how you use the specific aid to locate good water in relation to hazards, shifting shoals, strong currents, narrow passages/entrances or reduced visibility, along with any additional nearby buoy signal changes you recommend. Refer to Project No. 01-25-015 and submit your comments directly in the body of the email (in lieu of .pdf/excel attachments). Send your email to D01-SMB-DPWPublicComments@uscg.mil)

For all Proposal details and other navigation safety information, visit the Coast Guard’s Local Notice to Mariners interactive tool at https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/msi. A map of changes can be found at www.bit.ly/BuoyProposal.

U.S. Small Business Administration Listening Session

On September 23, the Small Business Administration (SBA) held a special Fishing Industry hearing and listening session in Portland. The session is part of a nationwide initiative to amplify the voices of small businesses in rural communities and revise the regulatory landscape. The SBA is seeking input and collaboration in crafting meaningful solutions to regulatory challenges facing the fishing industry.

The SBA wants the public's thoughts on pain points and the economic impact of existing regulations on business operations, from health and safety compliance issues to navigating inspections and exporting. SBA offices are open to practical solutions for reducing administrative burdens across all federal agencies. For more information about this effort, contact Kennedy Smallwood at kennedy.smallwood@sba.gov or 202-406-0948.