The New England lobster industry is facing some potential challenges.
Maine and New Hampshire have announced their decision to withdraw the proposed gauge increase to the minimum legal size for lobsters being caught, following strong opposition from the fishing community. Massachusetts has announced that it still supports the gauge increase, even following recent announcements from Maine and New Hampshire.
The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) recently held a meeting in Augusta to discuss the proposal which aimed at raising the minimum size limits for lobsters by 1/16 of an inch. The proposed as intended to address a reported 35 percent decline in the lobster population within Lobster Management Area 1 (LMA 1), as highlighted by data from the Atlantics States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). The proposal has faced fierce opposition from the lobstering communities, who feared the economic repercussions of the increase.
New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA) has strongly advocated for opposing the increase. Two days ago, NEFSA COO Dustin Delano stated, “Imagine losing 10 percent or 15 percent of your landings. For a fisherman catching 40,000-50,000 pounds of lobster annually, that could be a loss of up to $40,000 or $50,000- more than half of their take home income. Expenses like bait, fuel, gear, and boat payments would not decrease, but their livelihoods would.”
Some Maine lobstermen have even tested the proposed measure before its implementation on July 1, 2025, demonstrating its potential impact on their livelihoods. During the DMR meeting in Augusta, the gauge increase for the state of Maine was canceled by the DMR, announced by Commissioner Patrick Keliher.
Congressman Jared Golden, an advocate for Maine’s lobster industry, praised the decision. “I have always said that Maine’s lobstermen are the best, most informed conservationists for this precious and stories fishery,” he stated, following past concerns about the economic and scientific implications of the proposed changes.
Parallel, New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte announced that local fishermen would not comply with the new mandate regarding the minimum size of lobsters caught off the state’s shores if it were to be mandated. She wrote in a letter to ASMFC, "New Hampshire’s commercial fishing industry is a proud part of our heritage, and I have heard loud and clear from our lobstermen, commercial fishermen, and concerned legislators and citizens from our Seacoast that this minimum size increase will have a negative impact on an industry already strained by existing regulations." She urged the ASMFC to reconsider its decision, stating, "To ensure the survival of an iconic and historic industry in our state and our region, and to ensure our nation remains competitive in global trade, I ask you today to rescind these new guidelines." In the meantime, New Hampshire will comply with the previous minimum size for lobster to preserve this proud industry.
The New Hampshire Commercial Fishermen’s Association praised Ayotte’s announcement by stating, "After nearly two years of challenging regulatory changes proposed by the ASMFC and other governing bodies, the voices of commercial fishermen have finally been heard. We extend our deepest gratitude to Gov. Kelly Ayotte for her decisive action in rescinding the impending lobster gauge increase, which was originally set to take effect on July 1 of this year."
The increase was brought up following ASMFC’s data indicating a significant decline in lobster stocks, which then triggered the need for new conservation measures. However, fishermen in Maine and New Hampshire have questioned the reliability of the dates, especially when it comes to the disadvantage they would face compared to Canadian fishermen who would be operating under different regulations.
The communications director for the Maine DMR shared the potential consequences of non-compliance with ASMFC regulations (not implementing the new gauge within state areas), "If the state were not to implement this regulation, it’s possible that the state could be found out of compliance with that fishery management plan. That could ultimately result in the closure of the fishery."
The lobster fishing communities in New England are bracing for further discussions and potential regulatory changes. The DMR has scheduled another public hearing for early February, with a final vote on the proposed rule still pending. The path forward remains uncertain, but this community's determination to shape the fishery's future is very clear.
