Maine officials challenged a conclusion in a federal report on right whale protections, noting that regulators just awarded a grant to investigate the assumption.
lobster industry
Lobstermen, environmentalists battle over right whale protections
The industry is willing to switch to easier-breaking rope to lower the chance of entanglements, but whale advocates say that doesn’t go far enough.
Tariffs on exports to China continue to hobble Maine lobster dealers
In August, Maine and Massachusetts companies made 83 percent fewer sales to their second-largest export market than they did in June – before the tariffs took effect.
Gubernatorial candidates vow to back lobster industry in upcoming fight
Proposals to protect right whales, which will be unveiled next week, could hobble Maine’s most lucrative fishery.
Lobster industry blasts proposed regulations intended to protect whales
Officials say scientific data doesn’t support the proposals.
Defenders of endangered right whales pursue limits on aquaculture
The threat of entanglements extends beyond the lobster industry, say advocates, pointing to Maine’s rapidly growing farmed-fisheries sector.
Proposals to save right whales could drastically change lobstering
Regulators will meet next week to consider actions to preserve the threatened species, including a one-month closure of fishing zones and outlawing certain gear.
Herring quota’s sting may lead Maine lobstermen to sit out next spring
Regulators’ proposal to slash the yearly figure by 80 percent has fishermen wondering if they’d be working just to cover bait costs.
Maine lobstermen say move to avert collapse of herring fishery will have dire consequences
Trawling bans and quota reductions being proposed by regulators will result in bait shortages that will cause prices to skyrocket, the lobstermen say.
Ready Seafood gets final permit for Maine’s largest lobster processing operation
The company looks to break ground Oct. 1 on the $10 million facility in Saco, with plans to hire as many as 50 more employees to help handle as much as 100,000 pounds of lobster a day.