Sen. Nicole Grohoski bill to increase safety for lobster and scallop fishermen becomes law
AUGUSTA — Earlier this month, a bill from Sen. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, became law without the Governor’s signature. In April, LD 1341, “Resolve, Directing the Department of Marine Resources to Evaluate How to Effectively Allow 2 Licensed Individuals to Fish for Lobsters or Scallops from a Single Vessel,” received a unanimous, bipartisan vote as amended in the Marine Resources Committee. In late May, both the Maine Senate and House voted unanimously in favor of it. LD 1341 directs the Department of Marine Resources to evaluate how two people holding licenses can fish for lobster and scallops on one boat without increasing the total harvest.
“We are hearing more and more from harvesters who are struggling with labor and economic constraints, and many captains are fishing alone under increasingly risky conditions,” said Sen. Grohoski. “Allowing — but not requiring — two licensed captains to fish their individual gear from a single vessel could provide immediate relief without increasing overall harvest. This study will allow the Department to find a path forward that safeguards both our marine resources and the people who rely on them.”
In testimony at the public hearing for the bill, Annie-Kate O’Neal, a lobster and scallop fisherman from Stonington, wrote, “I agree wholeheartedly that we should open up discussion to allowed stacked licenses. I think this will definitely help with the safety issue of fishermen going by themselves. These jobs are very dangerous, it is becoming hard to find experienced people to be behind the captain on a boat.”
The Department will confer with stakeholders, including the Lobster Advisory Council, lobster management policy councils and the Scallop Advisory Council. It will evaluate how two individuals with lobster or scallop licenses from the same vessel can take lobsters or scallops without increasing the overall harvest. It will submit its report to the Legislature’s Marine Resources Committee by March 1, 2026.
The law will take effect 90 days after the adjournment of the First Special Session of the 132nd Maine Legislature.
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