Rep. Jared Golden’s recently introduced bill to freeze regulations to protect the North Atlantic right whale is ill-timed and unnecessary.

The lobster industry has demonstrated a desire to protect this critically endangered species. And the state and federal government are working hard to proceed with development and public consideration of new rules that will protect both whales and lobstermen. This is not the time to hit the brakes.

The current freeze on federal protections runs through 2028. Golden’s bill would extend the freeze to 2035. Since 2022, the Maine Department of Marine Resources has worked to improve whale monitoring and explore strategies to reduce risk of entangling whales.

The Take Reduction Team (TRT) — which is made up of representatives from the lobster industry, the fishing industry, the government and the conservation community — is working hard to reach consensus and develop new rules.

Golden is retiring from Congress at the end of this session and seems to be attempting a Hail Mary, ostensibly to protect the industry. Instead, passing this extension just makes the lobstermen look unreasonable at a time when all stakeholders should be committed to finding acceptable and effective solutions. 

The TRT members are tasked with hearing concerns and exploring options and should be allowed to do their job. Rep. Pingree and Sens. Collins and King should oppose this ill-conceived and unnecessary move by their colleague.

Sandra Scholar, Esq. 
Retired assistant general counsel, National Science Foundation
Brunswick