SENATE DEFEATS BILL TO SUPPORT FISHERMEN

Measure would have allowed fishermen to possess incidentally caught lobster

AUGUSTA –  Today, in a vote of 28-7, the Senate defeated a bill that would have allowed Maine fisherman to possess incidentally caught lobster from federal waters, as long as the lobster are not sold in Maine.

“This practice has happened for years and it will continue for years because Maine’s fishing industry is surviving only by the sale of incidentally caught lobster,” said Senator Anne Haskell of Portland, the sponsor of the bill. “Opposing this bill will not save a single lobster; it will only penalize Maine fisherman.”

Incidentally caught lobsters, or lobster bycatch, are lobster that are accidentally caught by ground fishermen as part of the fishing process.

Maine is the only New England state that prohibits possession of lobster on board a ground-fishing boat. Maine fishermen risk a $50,000 fine, and revocation of their license, if they are caught possessing incidentally-caught lobster.

“This is an issue of fairness,” added Senator Haskell. “If a Massachusetts boat and a Maine boat are in the same waters, engaging in the same practice, they should be treated the same.”

There are only 12 groundfish boats registered in Maine. Without the change in the law, they will likely relocate to Massachusetts.

“These are Maine boats, with Maine owners who employ Maine fisherman,” said Senator Haskell. “If they relocate to Massachusetts, we will lose this industry, these employees, the taxes they pay, and the infrastructure supporting them will be gone. Passing this bill would have kept Maine people and Maine businesses in Maine.”

The measure, LD 1549, An Act To Provide an Exemption for Incidentally Caught Lobsters, faces more votes in the House.

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