Maine’s lobster industry is navigating the impacts of federal legal action aimed at protecting the North Atlanti right whale. Regulations are administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the rulemaking process is managed by NOAA’s Take Reduction Team, which includes representatives from the industry, state and federal managers, conservation groups, and science and academic institutions.
In collaboration with Maine Department of Marine Resources, Maine Sea Grant, Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation, and Sunrise County Economic Council, Island Institute is supporting a project that aims to trial available types of on-demand gear through the Maine Innovative Gear Library. The goal, through paid industry participation, is to determine the real-world capabilities and challenges associated with ropeless gear.
On Feb. 18, this was demonstrated in Jonesport for fishermen, marine patrol officers, and members of the public to see it in person, ask questions, and voice
concerns. At the town landing, DMR staff had lift bag, stowed rope, timed release, and spring release gear on display.
Down the street, attendees were able to converse with event organizers about the project and the potential uses and limitations in Maine for ropeless gear.
Conversations and concerns covered a wide range of topics including feasibility of the gear at depth, use in strong currents and other conditions, gear
density, sharing gear location information, and the impacts to their profitability this gear could have if implemented. Along with other project participants, Island Institute welcomes these conversations and feedback as part of our efforts to encourage fishermen participation and collect qualitative data to inform this project. In collaboration with other ongoing DMR research and data collection projects, this gear testing
DMR displays an Ashored stowed rope unit.
allows the industry to offer feedback during the upcoming regulatory process in a concrete and substantive way. For Maine members of the Take Reduction Team to best advocate for the lobster industry and have supporting data, there is an urgent need for industry participation during the upcoming fishing season. Below are the current scheduled meetings and deadlines to establish recommendations and final rule:
Late summer/early fall: TRT meets for data review and preliminary recommendations.
October: TRT sets recommendations
for conservation measures.
January 2026: TRT votes on
recommendations.
Fall 2027: Final rule is published.
January 1, 2029: New rule effective
Please reach out to Kristin Garabedian at kgarabedian@islandinstitute.org to learn
more about this project.
