Maine Lobstermen's Association

01/16/2025

NOAA Fisheries New England/Mid-Atlantic reports that a recent aerial survey found more than 50 right whales off Jeffreys Ledge. Fishermen in the area must use caution to avoid setting gear near these whales. NMFS has implemented a large 10 knot slow zone off southern Maine through January 27.

01/16/2025

📺 Watch: MLA responds to NOAA’s decision to withdraw proposed right whale protection rule, despite data showing the number of whale deaths caused by vessel strikes.

NOAA has withdrawn a proposed right whale protection rule that would have required more ships to slow down in more areas.

01/15/2025

🚨DEVELOPING (2/2): Members of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association board of directors traveled to Gloucester, MA today to examine rope found on a right whale that died near Martha’s Vineyard last year. MLA has requested to examine this gear for more than a year and was granted today’s access because the investigation just closed last month. The MLA board disagrees with NMFS’s conclusion that the gear originated in state water as it did not have a three foot mark at the top and no 1700-pound weak link was present. MLA does not believe there is enough evidence to support NMFS’s conclusion that the gear came from state waters.

01/15/2025

🚨DEVELOPING (1/2): Members of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association board of directors traveled to Gloucester, MA today to examine rope found on a right whale that died near Martha’s Vineyard last year. MLA has requested to examine this gear for more than a year and was granted today’s access because the investigation just closed last month. The MLA board disagrees with NMFS’s conclusion that the gear originated in state water as it did not have a three foot mark at the top and no 1700-pound weak link was present. MLA does not believe there is enough evidence to support NMFS’s conclusion that the gear came from state waters.

01/13/2025

The Maine Department of Marine Resources is holding a webinar at 6pm today (Monday, Jan 13) to discuss potential 2025 Atlantic halibut management with industry members. Join the meeting at 6pm here: https://www.maine.gov/dmr/meetings/mon-01132025-1200-halibut-industry-fishing-year-2025-management-webinar

01/11/2025

The Maine Lobstermen's Association "raised additional concerns about the unfair advantage the rule could give to Canadian fishermen. Both groups fish the same waters, known as the “gray zone", but Canadian regulations would still allow fisherman to harvest small lobsters."

The Maine Department of Marine Resources withdrew the proposal after dozens of lobstermen voiced concerns about the rule’s potential impact on their livelihoods.

01/10/2025

Your voice matters. Join us in standing up for Maine lobstermen and help us protect our way of life. https://www.mainelobstermen.org/plans-pricing

01/10/2025

MLA consistently opposed the gauge increase for several reasons including concerns about the market impacts of having a larger minimum US gauge than the Canadian fishing areas that border the Gulf of Maine. Our members had a lot of questions that they feel hadn’t been answered. We appreciate the opportunity we have had to let our voices be heard. 🦞

AUGUSTA – Commissioner Patrick Keliher, who leads the Maine Department of Marine Resources, told a packed room of fishermen on Thursday that Maine will not comply with a federal rule

01/09/2025

A reminder of tonight’s meeting at 5 PM. You can join in person or online and you can also submit written comments. Your voice is important to our future so let’s be heard! 🦞

Maine Department of Marine Resources has scheduled a hybrid public meeting for Thursday, January 9 at 5PM to take comments on Chapter 25.76 Lobster Minimum Size. Attend in person or online. Info here: https://tinyurl.com/mr4chs7u

Written comments are due January 21 & can be:
📨 emailed to [email protected]
📬 mailed to Deidre Gilbert, Maine DMR, 21 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.
An additional public hearing will be scheduled for early February.

01/09/2025

It’s common to hear that there’s just no such thing as normal in the Gulf of Maine any longer due to climate change. As the Gulf has warmed, those things that lobstermen once considered stable, such as when lobsters move offshore or the time of molt, can’t be predicted reliably. This past year...

01/08/2025

Maine Department of Marine Resources has scheduled a hybrid public meeting for Thursday, January 9 at 5PM to take comments on Chapter 25.76 Lobster Minimum Size. Attend in person or online. Info here: https://tinyurl.com/mr4chs7u

Written comments are due January 21 & can be:
📨 emailed to [email protected]
📬 mailed to Deidre Gilbert, Maine DMR, 21 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.
An additional public hearing will be scheduled for early February.

01/08/2025

🦞🔥 MLA Kicks Off 2025 with Bowdoin Dining! 🍽️
We had an incredible time connecting with Bowdoin Dining Services, a proud MLA business member since 2008! They serve up thousands of Maine lobsters at their legendary lobster bakes, all sourced straight from our waters. 🌊 Patrice McCarron, MLA’s Executive & Policy Director, delivered an engaging talk on Maine’s lobster industry, fun lobster facts, and the challenges we face. Plus, we got to hear from the owner of Wicked Joe Organic Coffees, a Maine-based roaster. Great food, great people, and great conversations—cheers to a strong start to 2025! 🦞☕💙

01/07/2025

Each month, MLA recognizes a future leader of our industry. The jr Harvester of the month is featured in Landings and online. To nominate someone you know, be sure they are registered with a FREE membership @ https://www.mainelobstermen.org/plans-pricing & send an email with a their name, short bio, and the reasons why your jr Harvester stands out to [email protected]. Email Sunshine with any questions! We look forward to featuring YOU or a young lobsterman you love! 🦞💕

01/06/2025

Thank you, Wilbur's of Maine Chocolate Confections, for supporting Maine's lobstering heritage.

The MLCA is proud to partner with Wilbur's of Maine Chocolate Confections which donates 50 cents for every Maine Chocolate Lobstering Bar sold to help preserve Maine's lobstering heritage. Thank you to everyone who purchased chocolate this holiday season- and to Wilbur's for standing with Maine lobstermen and their families. Order yours today: https://www.wilburs.com/product/maine-lobstering-chocolate-bars/

12/30/2024

Did you know that our partners at Maine Lobster Community Alliance publish a monthly newspaper, Landings, that is distributed free of charge to every licensed lobsterman in Maine (and to businesses and supporters all over the country)? MLCA is a 501c3 non-profit and all donations help them help all of us. Can you make a year-end donation to support their good work?

Join Us in Making a Difference!

12/28/2024

Oh buoy! Check this out! ❤️ 🎄

12/28/2024

Reminder - Maine Fishermen's Forum Student Scholarship applications are due by February 21, 2025.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Maine Fishermen's Forum Scholarship. Undergraduates attending a two or four year college who are in at least the second year of their program or students who are in at least the second semester of their Certificate Program will be eligible.
https://www.eventeny.com/events/applications/application/?id=3475