Lobster Logbooks Incite Big-brother Concerns

by Laurie Schreiber

Department of Marine Resources lobster biologist Carl Wilson discusses the pros of harvester logbooks.. Photo:Laurie Schreiber

A ROCKPORT – About a hundred lobster fishermen turned out for a recent session on mandatory reporting for the lobster industry.

Harvester logbooks are due to be implemented in January 2008. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has agreed to Maine’s proposal to have only 10 percent of lobster fishermen, selected by random draw, report at a time.

Department of Marine Resources Commissioner George Lapointe said there are no plans to move to 100 percent reporting.

The logbooks are designed to be as simple as possible, said DMR lobster biologist Carl Wilson. The monthly trip report will have just one line per day to fill out, specifying number of traps hauled, pounds landed, and the general area fished.

People want to know why the effort data is important and what will happen if they don’t report; why now; and why not expand sea sampling instead, Wilson said.

Most importantly, he said, people want to know how the data will be protected.

“Confidentiality,” he said, “is the most significant concern: will this be the start of ITQs? Will this data be used against the industry? Does the DMR want to target individuals to reduce license numbers or create tiered license systems?”

The harvester-specific nature of the reports is one of the industry’s biggest concerns, Wilson said.

“We couldn’t figure out a way to disassociate a name from the information,” he said.

Marine Patrol Lieutenant Alan Talbot and Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association president Bill Adler listen to a lobster fisherman who wonders if harvester logbooks will lead to further invasions of privacy. Photo:Laurie Schreiber

One fisherman called the new program an invasion of privacy.

Lapointe said the agency has a history of protecting confidentiality and there’s no reason to think that won’t be maintained.

“It would be my intention to have the state of Maine defend that vigorously,” he said.

“If you look at the pressure from the groups who want to change the way you do business, they’re going to do it with or without the data,” Lapointe said. “Management discussions are going to occur with or without this information. The best defense is for you guys to stay involved.”

A fisherman from Connecticut said the logbooks are just a prelude to further mandates for information.

“I suggest everyone here should get involved,” he said.

Wilson said what’s needed is good catch and effort information.

The goal, he said, is to move away from using any one piece of information for stock assessments and try to be as broad-based as possible.

“I think we’ve been pretty good in working with this industry,” said Lapointe. “Effort data is something we’ve been deficient in.”

“I think it will improve the stock assessment coming up,” said Wilson. “I think it will allow us to look at things a little differently.”