Report: Marine Resources overhaul needed
The Maine Department of Marine Resources needs to develop more detailed management plans for all for the state's major fisheries, a review released Friday concludes.
The recommendation was one of many included in the report by a three-person independent review panel aimed at making Maine "a more fish-business friendly state," including more thorough analyses of the marine fishing industry's economic impacts. The report found "many serious impediments and deficiencies in the department that will continue to impede the department's ability to satisfy [its] purposes," and recommended the department be more proactive in determining if fish stocks are at risk for overfishing. The report found that 70% of the state's commercial fishing income is from the lobster industry, and recommended the department do more to diversify its fisheries income.
Other recommendations include asking the Legislature for a 20% budget increase, reviewing costs associated with contractor services and strengthening both internal communications and public relations.
Gov. Paul LePage ordered a review of all state departments earlier this year.
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