Steaming Ahead | August 2025

Fishermen are stubborn people. These days it seems fewer and fewer see the world the same way. As the political landscape has become more polarized so too have fishermen. With the explosion of social media, it’s simple to surround yourself with people who think the same way you do and to stay isolated from those who disagree. We are all communicating less with people with whom we don’t see eye to eye. Instead of working together to solve issues, it seems we more often stand in judgment of one another.

The best method to communicate is the old fashioned one: talk to each other, even when it feels uncomfortable. MLA Photo.

In 1954, when the MLA was founded, lobstermen had VHF, landlines, letters, community suppers, and meetings. Information traveled a bit slower and folks had time to get the facts and process their thoughts before reacting. Of course, MLA understands the importance of computers, social media and fast-paced information sharing, but we also deeply appreciate the value of thoughtful communication, active listening, and taking the time to understand all viewpoints.

Fisheries issues are complicated and addressing them requires people to come together to have difficult conversations. Unfortunately, social media, texts and emails don’t really lend themselves well to that. When answers are rarely black and white, solving the questions requires seeking out people who are not likely to agree with you and talking with them. We must make sure that intentional, thoughtful conversations are not completely lost as we rely more on our convenient modern communication tools.

While it often feels that the pace of the world is forcing people apart, we are fortunate that there are many truths that keep the lobster community deeply connected. We share a deep pride in the independence of each lobsterman who works as an owner-operator and spends his or her money locally, breathing life into our rural communities. We are profoundly connected by our shared heritage, our belief in our families, communities, and our age-old stewardship of the ocean’s resources. Did you know that we still have more than 1,000 captains mentoring students and apprentices, training the next generation of lobstermen? This summer the MLA is focusing on what brings our industry together and working to strengthen the foundation that Maine’s fishing heritage is built on.

I am most excited about our partnership with the New England Fisherman’s Stewardship Association, known as NEFSA, to celebrate the Maine lobster industry’s signature conservation practice — the V-notch. We have launched a new website, www.vnotch.info, filled with information on the history, science and conservation benefits of V-notching. The site also features videos of lobstermen demonstrating the practice and sharing the V-notching legacy. If you missed the media coverage of the campaign launch, the site includes news coverage featuring MLA’s youngest board member, Christian LaMontagne from Long Island, talking about why he is an avid V-notcher, and an op-ed co-authored by MLA’s chairman Jarod Bray and NEFSA’s COO Dustin Delano. There will be lots more to come this summer and fall in Landings and on social media.

The gauge issue really shook things up in the lobster industry and has gotten a lot of lobstermen thinking about the fishery’s future. When managers propose ideas that do not make sense to lobstermen, lobstermen quickly come up with more sensible approaches. The MLA has collected many of these ideas from our members, and we are bringing them to lobstermen to find out what you think about them and whether there is enough interest to warrant further discussion.

To get the ball rolling, MLA has emailed a short survey to all licensed lobstermen. Most of the topics focus on ways to improve the quality of the lobsters caught in Maine and keep the lobster stock healthy. If you didn’t receive the survey, you can find it at www.surveymonkey.com/r/8QHD3J6. Or if you prefer a paper copy, call the MLA Office and we will mail you one.

The MLA is also capitalizing on the lull in the whale rules. The Board is focused on bringing back some of the MLA’s most popular programs to strengthen and support our industry. The Maine Lobster Leadership Program is at the top of the list! MLA is collaborating with the Maine Lobster Community Alliance to raise funds to bring back the leadership program and make it even better. We are working to fund a three-part program that offers leadership training, business support, and a new sternman training program to develop reliable, qualified crew to work on lobster boats.

But don’t worry, the MLA is still working hard to “Save Maine Lobstermen” from being regulated out of business when the next round of whale rules hits at the end of 2028. We continue to represent Maine on the Take Reduction Team, work closely with DMR and the Maine delegation, and ensure that the new brass at NMFS understands all that went wrong during the last round of whale rules. We also are involved in the Congressional effort to reform both the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). MLA’s exceptional legal team remains engaged in this important work.

As part of these efforts, the MLA invited fishing associations to sign onto a letter of support for proposed changes to the MMPA and the ESA. The MLA’s MMPA letter was signed by ten fishing groups! The ESA letter is on hold until September when Congress reconvenes.

The MLA has been here for 71 years working to support Maine lobstermen and our coastal communities through a sustainable lobster fishery. We know there is no way to get lobstermen on the same page on every issue or to understand fully what is right or wrong for thousands of fishermen. But we’ve learned that by keeping lobstermen in the know, asking for your input, listening, and continuing to work with others, we will find a path forward to keep Maine lobstermen fishing and Maine’s lobstering heritage strong.

Thank you for your continued support of MLA.

And as always, stay safe on the water.