Licensing changes met with opposition by some veteran lobstermen
Changes could be coming soon to the $1 billion lobster industry of Maine as a new proposal is set to go before the Legislature’s Marine Resources Committee.
According to MPBN, the changes are meant to address the long waiting process that many potential lobstermen face when applying for fishing licenses. As it stands now, there are over 300 people on the list awaiting approval, with some applicants waiting for over a decade.
The proposed changes, introduced by Deer Isle Democratic Representative Walter Kumiega, would introduce a new class of license that would be limited to only 300 traps instead of the usual 800, among other provisions.
Opponents of the proposal, many of them long-time lobstermen, contend that the possibility of overfishing will increase if the new streamlined process is adopted, a fear that many lawmakers say is unfounded with many precautions being put in place to avoid that situation.
The proposal is set to go before the Marine Resources Committee later today.
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