Membership
With major issues facing Maine’s lobster industry, Your membership matters more than ever. Join or renew today. New members only $200.
Membership Renew, join or find out more about membership
Business Discounts Are you an MLA member? Check out discounts at local businesses
Business Directory Support the businesses that support us.
Monthly MLA Pages Find out what’s going on in the lobster industry!
Want to know more about what we do? Watch this short video! https://youtu.be/jExXuyosZs0
“For the past 62 years the Maine Lobstermen’s Association has advocated for lobstermen from all parts of the Maine coast. Its longevity is due to the men and women who make up its membership. Staying strong and relevant means successfully drawing new members into the association year after year..”
Read more here
Current News
Berried Lobster Tagging Project in Grand Manan
Help us track berried lobsters! GMWSRS (Grand Manan Whale & Seabird Research Station) is conducting a berried lobster tagging project that will be carried out this fall/winter in LFA 38. Click here to read more and to get log sheets!
It’s time to Sign up for the Boston Seafood Show!
On Monday March 16th the MLA is heading south to Boston attend the Seafood Expo North America, better known as the Boston Seafood Show. Join us on this memorable and information free trip! Register and Find out more here.
Stand Up for Maine Lobstermen
Check out this website and several videos explaining the Maine lobster industry’s long history of sustainability practices and its ongoing commitment to right whale protections.
Check out the website HERE.
Watch the video below. Like it? Share it!
The facts about Right Whales and lobstermen cooperation
One of the biggest issues facing the industry is the plight of the North Atlantic right whale. The MLA has been working on this issue since 1997 with the formation of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team. Over the past 20 years, Maine lobstermen have implemented many measures to protect whales, however threats to make major, unreasonable changes to our way of fishing remain serious. Read More
Lifejackets For Lobstermen Wraps Up
The tour is over but you can see pictures of lobstermen throughout Maine who bought lifejackets. You can also read about how the project did overall. Click Here to find out more
Events
The Crowne Plaza has given us a special rate of $129 (plus taxes & fees) for the nights of Thursday, January 23 and Friday, January 24. Reserve rooms by December 20, 2019 to be guaranteed space. Secure your overnight accommodations at the Crowne Plaza’s by calling 866 854 4656 or by clicking here.
To read the details of the proposed rulemaking changes, please click the link below.
BRIEF SUMMARY: This proposed rulemaking updates reporting requirements for herring and menhaden. The Primary Buyer Permit reporting elements for herring have been expanded and will be required weekly. The Herring Harvester Permit reporting requirements have been expanded and will be required daily. The Menhaden Harvester Permit has been introduced and will be required daily during the quota fisheries and weekly during the small scale fishery.
Comments are due By February 10, 2020
To read the details of the proposed rulemaking changes, please click the link below.
BRIEF SUMMARY: This proposed regulation reorganizes the Atlantic herring fishery quota for Area 1A into trimesters, as previously used. Updated definitions for landing, and carrier vessel are enclosed. The Fixed Gear Set Aside has been reduced from 39 mt to 30 mt to comply with 2020 specifications.
Comments are due By February 10, 2020
To read the details of the proposed rulemaking changes, please click the link below.
BRIEF SUMMARY: This proposed rulemaking amends the reporting of menhaden landings; reporting through an approved electronic option will be required. State and episodic fisheries remain at daily reporting. The Incidental and Small Scale fishery is amended to a weekly reporting requirement. This rulemaking introduces a personal use bait permit that will allow harvesters to use a bait gillnet to take three barrels of menhaden daily, separate from all other menhaden fishery activity. Carrier vessels are defined and effort restrictions for their activity have been described. Harvester vessels may make one transfer of menhaden to a carrier vessel per calendar day. Carrier vessels are prohibited from participating in the Incidental and Small Scale fishery.
Comments are due By February 10, 2020
Chapter 42: Striped Bass
Currently, it is unlawful for any person to take or possess striped bass which are less than 28 inches in total length. This proposed rule modifies the existing regulatory requirement by adding a maximum size limit, such that it is also unlawful for any person to take or possess striped bass which are 35 inches in total length or longer. This rule change is needed to come into compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Addendum VI to Amendment 6 to the Atlantic Striped Bass Interstate Fishery Management Plan, which is intended to address the overfishing status of the stock.
Click here to see the proposed changes: Striped bass Proposed Reg
A second hearing willl take place on January 30th at the Yarmouth Log Cabin. (Snow date scheduled for January 31, 2020 2:30 pm, DMR Offices, RM 118 Marquardt Building, 32 Blossom
Lane, Augusta ME)
Written Comments are due by February 10th, 2020
Additional Information to follow.
Portsmouth Harbor Events & Conference Center
100 Deer Street at 22 Portwalk Place Portsmouth, NH 03801
New England Fishery Council Management Meeting Website
Chapter 42: Striped Bass
Currently, it is unlawful for any person to take or possess striped bass which are less than 28 inches in total length. This proposed rule modifies the existing regulatory requirement by adding a maximum size limit, such that it is also unlawful for any person to take or possess striped bass which are 35 inches in total length or longer. This rule change is needed to come into compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Addendum VI to Amendment 6 to the Atlantic Striped Bass Interstate Fishery Management Plan, which is intended to address the overfishing status of the stock.
Click here to see the proposed changes: Striped bass Proposed Reg
Snow date scheduled for January 31, 2020 2:30 pm, DMR Offices, RM 118 Marquardt Building, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta ME
Written Comments are due by February 10th, 2020
