Sea Grant Associate Links Lobstermen With Innovative Gear Library

By Maine Sea Grant

Alicia Gaiero, Maine Sea Grant Fisheries Extension Associate is Maine Sea Grant’s Outreach Coordinator for the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) Innovative Gear Library. The Library was launched by DMR in response to a federal pause on new right whale protection rules, effective through 2028. The delay created a window for industry-led innovation, research, and collaborative policy development.

Maine Sea Grant Fisheries Extension Associate Alicia Gaiero.

The Innovative Fishing Gear Library engages fishermen in testing new gear technology that reduces or eliminates vertical lines in the water column. While the LMA1 closure is already in effect, the possibility of additional closures in other areas remains, making evaluation and testing of alternative gear especially important.

As Outreach Coordinator, Gaiero works with state agencies, fishing organizations, and fishermen to test on-demand gear across the coast of Maine. Currently more than 26 fishermen are testing gear from six manufacturers. These trials include three different gear size configurations, ranging from nearshore to offshore use, so fishermen can evaluate how the technology performs in different depths and fishing conditions. The Library hopes to involve more offshore fishermen, who already face the highest risk of closure and may be impacted by future expansion of closed areas.

Gaiero’s work is emblematic of Maine Sea Grant — building trust, sharing knowledge, and connecting science with the needs of Maine’s coastal communities. By fostering collaboration between fishermen, regulators, and researchers, the program helps deliver practical, research-backed solutions that strengthen resilience in one of the state’s most iconic fisheries.