Senate gives unanimous approval to Sen. Vitelli bill to directly support Maine lobstering industry

Posted: June 06, 2023 | Senator Vitelli

AUGUSTA – On Tuesday, the Maine Senate gave unanimous, bipartisan support to a bill from Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, in an initial vote. The bill will help Maine’s lobstering industry prepare for the harmful regulations imposed by the federal government, while lawmakers and industry leaders challenge the new rules in court. LD 1552, “An Act to Create the Lobster Innovation Fund,” which also received unanimous support in committee, is the latest in ongoing work in the Maine Legislature to grapple with and push back against federal restrictions.

Senator Eloise Vitelli

“For generations, Maine lobstermen have been honorable stewards of our waters and fisheries. They know firsthand and see every day that the health of Maine’s environment is directly tied to the health of our economy. Despite this, and despite an utter lack of evidence, federal regulators have targeted Maine’s lobster industry as a scapegoat,” said Sen. Vitelli. “The bipartisan fight against these untenable regulations is ongoing. This bill will help make sure that lobstermen are prepared for what might be on the horizon.”

As amended, LD 1552 would establish the Lobster Innovation Fund to provide stipends to holders of Class I, Class II or Class III lobster fishing licenses to participate in the testing of new lobster fishing technologies. The bill appropriates one-time funds of $1 million each year for the next two fiscal years.

In August 2021, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released federal regulations as part of a plan to protect right whales despite a lack of data and evidence linking current lobstering practices to the decline in this endangered species. NOAA’s proposed rules were passed and challenged in federal court. In December 2022, Maine’s Congressional delegation and Gov. Janet Mills secured a six-year moratorium on the implementation of those rules, through Dec. 31, 2028.

An estimated 34 right whales have died since 2017, with only 12 deaths occurring in U.S. waters. None of those deaths can be linked to Maine lobstermen.

“The Lobster Innovation Fund will serve as a critical tool in promoting the participation of harvesters in experimental gear trials. As we all know, the lobster fishery is a vital industry for the State of Maine, providing jobs and economic opportunities for countless Mainers. It is also an industry that faces challenges, including potential regulatory changes at the federal level,” said Lawrence Pye, a lobsterman from Bath, in testimony supporting the bill.

Before Congressional intervention, Maine state lawmakers led the charge to protect Maine’s heritage lobstering industry and push back against NOAA’s proposed restrictions:

  • Sept. 23, 2022: Senate Democrats sent a letter to the Board of Monterey Bay Aquarium urging the group to reconsider their decision.
  • May 8, 2022: State lawmakers created the Lobster Legal Defense Fund within the Department of Marine Resources to support Maine lobster harvesters in the wake of harmful and unfounded regulations from the federal government.
  • March 16, 2022: Maine lawmakers passed a law that will extend lobstering hours for the month of September. This will give lobster harvesters more time to fish during the peak season. Previously, Maine lobstermen had less time to fish in the month of September.
  • Oct. 7, 2021: Maine’s Legislative Council unanimously voted to sign on to a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court in Bangor, seeking emergency relief related to the impending closure of Lobster Management Area 1.
  • Sept. 29, 2021: Maine Legislature overwhelmingly approved a joint order from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, that would allow the Legislative Council to take legal action in support of Maine lobstermen impacted by the harmful new federal regulations.
  • April 27, 2020: Maine lawmakers sent a bipartisan letter to the Department of Commerce and NOAA, stating in part, “We anticipate irrevocable harm to the Maine lobster industry and the livelihoods of thousands of Mainers if this case progresses without decisive federal action.”

LD 1552 faces further votes in the House and Senate.