Steaming Ahead | May 2025

“I read it on Facebook.” That is the typical response I get when I ask, “Where did you hear that?” when I’m discussing lobster-related issues with friends or other lobstermen. Unfortunately, many get their news on social media, often without considering the source.

There's a lot of misinformation out there. If you want to know what's happening, call your local MLA board member.

The amount of misinformation on social media is sometimes hard to take and has led me to unfollow accounts. I found myself wasting way too much time explaining what was happening with the MLA or proposed regulations, and it was ignored. None of us are perfect, and we don’t always get the facts right, but if something seems a little strange, it’s probably not correct.

It’s our duty as fishermen to try to stay up to date with what’s happening in our fishery. Any of the fishery organizations representing Maine have what’s best for the industry at heart. No one is trying to make rules that would jeopardize that. Most trade organizations draw their support from the people and businesses operating within a fishery. It just wouldn’t make sense for any of them to support plans or regulations that lower their fishermen’s incomes.

In the MLA, the 21 lobstermen that make up the board of directors have complete decision-making authority whenever an issue arises. MLA’s decisions are based on discussions by board members who fish from different harbors along the coast. There’s a lot of give and take required to make decisions that are in the best interest of our fishery and certainly there are no perfect solutions. If you think MLA has made an error in any decision, take a few minutes to contact me or a board member in your area to get clarification. You can be sure that we aren’t out to ruin the very fishery the MLA was organized to protect – just the opposite, we are here to make sure it continues.

Everyone needs to make an effort to get real information, not just scan through Facebook. Attend an MLA meeting, even if you aren’t a member. Go to a Lobster Zone Council meeting. Attend a Lobster Advisory Council meeting or listen to an Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission meeting. Yes, it takes a little time and effort. Isn’t this fishery worth it?

Some incredibly smart fishermen are part of all these organizations; they all seem willing to engage with people who ask questions respectfully.

Some believe the MLA works too closely with the Department of Marine Resources (DMR). Of course we work with them. If you are not working with the agency that regulates your fishery, you are not taking part in the fishery’s management. Just because we work with DMR doesn’t mean there aren’t disagreements. The MLA has opposed electronic trackers and the gauge increase — things that DMR has supported. However, there are plenty of issues that we do agree on. Take a few of the new bills before the Marine Resources Committee, such as LD336, which would have changed the zone exit/entry ratios for all zones to 1:1. The MLA opposed this bill and so did DMR.

Sometimes we agree with DMR’s position, sometimes we don’t. That’s what being independent is all about. Having a working relationship with DMR is a must, whether we agree with them or not. The MLA will always do what we believe is best for the lobster industry. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t willing to disagree with DMR when we need to.

It’s a weird world and it’s hard to really feel confident in a lot of the stuff you read on Facebook or get fed through social media. I’ve found that if you ask real, live human beings enough questions, you tend to get closer to the truth. I’m always available to talk about lobstering; if I don’t have an answer, I will do my best to find it.

And I know the rest of the board feels the same way. Skip Facebook – give us a call.