Maine seeks further delay on new lobster gear rules

File Photo / Fred Field Maine officials say new federal gear regulations could cost the state's lobstermen $7.3 million.

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By Renee Cordes

Citing supply chain difficulties, members of Maine's congressional delegation and Gov. Janet Mills are seeking an extra two months for lobstermen to implement new federal gear rules that have drawn criticism and a lawsuit.

The regulations, set to take effect May 1, are meant to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales by requiring specialized "weak" rope and rope links so the whales can break free if entangled in the lines.

In a letter Wednesday to U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, the elected officials ask that the implementation deadline be delayed to July 1.

The letter says that while lobstermen have been preparing to modify their gear in time, the continued scarcity of required gear will make it difficult to comply.

“In good faith, lobstermen have been seeking out the necessary supplies required to modify their gear by the May 1st deadline, and suppliers have been hard at work trying to meet the demand,” the letter said. “Many have been advised that they can place an order but receive no estimate or certainty on when they might take delivery."

The letter notes that fishermen have tried to buy weak links being made by several suppliers in the region, only to be told that there is no estimate on when the links would be available. Similarly, Brooks Trap Mill in Thomaston had unexpected challenges with its mold for new required plastic links in lobster trap rope, according to the letter.

The missive is signed by U.S. Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, and Susan Collins, R-Maine; U.S. Reps. Jared Golden, D-Maine 2nd District, and Chellie Pingree, D-Maine 1st District; and Gov. Mills. They argueed in a joint press release Wednesday that the rule will cost Maine's lobstermen $7.3 million, "which could pose a significant economic threat to the small businesses that power this industry."

Previous requests for a delay have failed. Calling their latest request "reasonable," the officials note that it is supported by the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy, which has pointed to an "impossible scenario" for fishermen if they aren't granted extra time to comply.