Steaming Ahead | December 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on a year defined by rapid changes, hard work, and the extraordinary resilience of Maine’s lobstering community. With a new administration in Washington, the policy landscape shifted dramatically, bringing new opportunities, new challenges, and a renewed urgency to stay engaged. Through it all, the MLA stood with you, working every day to protect the fishery and the livelihoods of the families who depend on it.

M. Flemming photo.

Without a doubt, President Trump taking office shook things up for the lobster industry — both good and not so good. On the positive side, the Administration immediately elevated the importance of America’s commercial fisheries. Federal agencies were directed to focus on reducing burdensome regulations, recognizing fishermen’s contributions to national food security and coastal economies. Fighting against over-regulation is nothing new for the MLA, and the association highlighted to the Administration many of the regulatory challenges facing Maine’s lobster industry.

Two of MLA’s major priorities saw real progress. First, offshore wind leases in the Gulf of Maine were officially terminated, protecting critical fishing grounds and preventing projects that threatened navigation, safety, and the long-term health of the ecosystem. Second, efforts to reform the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act have ramped up and are opening the door for long-needed updates that reflect modern science, improved data, and importantly, Congress’s intent that these laws are not blind to economic impacts. The MLA’s position is not to gut these laws but to target specific areas that have been misinterpreted by federal agencies.

The Administration also supported MLA’s request to push back the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) timeline to develop new right whale regulations, allowing for additional data to be included, including Maine’s data on right whale sightings, 100% harvester reporting, and federal lobster vessel tracker data, before calculating risk reductions and making any regulatory decisions. This delay gives the industry a better chance at a rule that is grounded in current science rather than outdated assumptions.

But the year also brought major economic challenges. Tariff policies have disrupted markets, softening demand for Maine lobster at home and abroad, resulting in dismal boat prices this fall. At the same time, tariffs are driving up costs for bait, gear, and fishing supplies. These pressures hit lobstermen hard. The MLA continues to work with policymakers to ensure they understand the economic strain caused by these trade decisions and the need for solutions that don’t leave fishing families carrying the burden.

While the national environment shifted, the MLA stayed fully engaged across its core policy areas. Right whales remained a defining issue. In addition to being a watchdog on the progress of federal rulemaking, the MLA supported lobstermen voluntarily removing an endline when a large aggregation of right whales appeared in 2025, demonstrating the fishery’s commitment to practical, effective conservation practices. The MLA also strongly opposed NMFS’s attempt to fast track ropeless fishing by using the regional fishery management councils to push through an alternative gear marking framework. This effort failed and, according to NMFS, will start over in 2026 through a transparent, public process that will include the lobster industry.

Management of the lobster resource also demanded close attention. The MLA opposed the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (AMSFC) scheduled gauge increase, which ultimately was withdrawn. The MLA’s arguments — that it would have caused economic harm to many Maine lobstermen and severely disrupted the U.S.–Canada lobster supply chain — resonated with managers. The MLA also continued its long-standing work to protect access to bait, successfully advocating with others to reduce a proposed 55% cut to the menhaden quota to just 20%, preserving a critical resource for the fleet.

The MLA remained active on several additional fronts. We continued to work with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow Maine lobster boats under 50 feet to power with Tier 3 engines over 800hp if they file a waiver, ensuring that new vessels have the right engines to safely fish offshore waters. The MLA opposed the U.S. Coast Guard plan to remove numerous navigational beacons, which would have threatened safety at sea. That plan is now on hold. The MLA also opposed a research project to dump a sodium hydroxide solution into Wilkinson Basin as part of a climate remediation test, an unnecessary and risky experiment with unknown environmental consequences. While the project did move forward, researchers took extra measures to monitor impacts on lobster.

At the state level, MLA was again a steady presence in Augusta opposing bills that would undermine our core management structure and ensuring that legislators understood the importance of Maine’s owner-operator tradition, lobster zone management system, and conservation measures. And as always, the MLA remained in close contact with Maine’s congressional delegation to keep federal lawmakers engaged, informed, and proactive in defending the interests of Maine’s lobster industry.

Public communication remained a major part of MLA’s work in 2025. We continued educating reporters, policymakers, and community members about the importance of Maine’s lobster fishery, its sustainability, and its heritage. This included presentations at local schools, universities, civic organizations, and major events, even a session with the U.S. Secretary of Labor and a briefing for the Maine Bankers Association. Each of these opportunities helped reinforce the truth about our industry: Maine’s lobstermen are responsible stewards of the ocean and vital economic contributors to their communities.

Recognizing the scale of the challenges ahead, the MLA made important internal investments in 2025. We upgraded essential systems to improve member services, strengthen communication, and ensure the organization is equipped to operate effectively in today’s dynamic political environment. We also welcomed a new Associate Director, expanding our capacity to respond quickly and effectively to policy developments and member needs.

More than anything, 2025 showed what we have always known: Maine’s lobster industry is strongest when it stands together. Your voices, your experience, and your determination make all the difference. Every comment you submit, every meeting you attend, and every conversation you spark helps shape the path forward.

As we head into 2026, I want to thank each of you for your trust and for the pride you take in your work. The MLA will continue fighting for you — today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.

As always, stay safe on the water.