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Poll results

Sponsored by: OTELCO

Policymakers are in a quandary: How to protect a marine species found in Maine waters while protecting one of Maine's most cherished marine livelihoods.

A new federal rule designed to protect the North American right whale from fishing gear has pitted some conservation advocates against the lobstering industry. Last week, Gov. Janet Mills complained to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo that the rule targets Maine lobstermen unfairly and unnecessarily.

The rule requires new marking and modifications for lobster gear, as well as a seasonal lobstering ban in some offshore waters. Critics say the costs of implementation and revenue loss associated with the rule could total over $30 million next year.

Debate over the measures has been waged for months. But with the rule set to take effect in May, the urgency appears to be ratcheting up.

Does the federal government's new whale-protection rule unfairly target Maine lobstermen?
Yes (76%, 171 VOTES)
No (24%, 53 VOTES)
Poll Description

Sponsored by: OTELCO

Policymakers are in a quandary: How to protect a marine species found in Maine waters while protecting one of Maine's most cherished marine livelihoods.

A new federal rule designed to protect the North American right whale from fishing gear has pitted some conservation advocates against the lobstering industry. Last week, Gov. Janet Mills complained to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo that the rule targets Maine lobstermen unfairly and unnecessarily.

The rule requires new marking and modifications for lobster gear, as well as a seasonal lobstering ban in some offshore waters. Critics say the costs of implementation and revenue loss associated with the rule could total over $30 million next year.

Debate over the measures has been waged for months. But with the rule set to take effect in May, the urgency appears to be ratcheting up.

  • 224 Votes
  • 11 Comments
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11 Comments

  • Jeffrey Payson
    October 1, 2021

    Comment, "Maine votes liberal. Vote liberal you get liberal policies." To be clear, the Mills administration opposes the new restrictions.

  • September 29, 2021

    If the Federal government wants to put this cost on Maine's lobster industry, there should be a tax credit to offset the cost of the more expensive gear. The majority of deaths are from vessel strikes, but they are not going after the shipping industry. The vast majority of entanglements occur in Canadian waters, so our public servants (the government) think it is okay to unfairly burden the hardworking, taxpaying people of Maine's lobstering communities. Maybe we should have fewer government employees to give the money to the lobstering community to offset their costs.

  • September 29, 2021

    Maine votes liberal. Vote liberal you get liberal policies.

  • September 27, 2021

    Almost all of the whale population hangs out in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada now due to the rising temperatures of the Gulf of Maine. The Gulf of STL is unregulated currently. This sounds like more of a Canadian Govt issue of a lack of accountability than trying to solve the issue with local ME lobstermen.

  • September 27, 2021

    Admiral Farragut said dam torpedo's and full speed ahead in the battle of Mobil Bay. Hence, keep lobster fishing and the Feds be dammed. This law like many from Washington lacks any common sense.