>>Fishermen's Voice Monthly Newspaper, Gouldsboro Maine

The proposal (expanding the exchange for fewer endlines) will move
forward only if the industry wants it to.”
— Terry Stockwell

The Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) strongly urges lobstermen and others who care about the Maine lobster industry to submit comments by July 7, 2008 to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) encouraging the agency to move forward with its proposed delayed implementation of the federal whale rule requiring Maine lobstermen to fish sinking groundlines. The MLA welcomed news that NMFS had issued a Proposed Rule to delay implementation of the sinking groundline portion of the federal whale rules until the beginning of the 2009 lobster season, a 6 month delay from the original October 2008 deadline. However, NMFS will not make a final decision on the delay until it has reviewed public comment on the proposal. This means that the delay will not happen unless there is strong support from the Maine lobster industry and our coastal communities that is reflected in the written record submitted to NMFS for consideration. To be considered by the agency, comments must be submitted no later than July 7, 2008.

The MLA has presented evidence to NMFS that the Maine lobster industry cannot convert their groundlines to sinking line by the October 2008 deadline. October falls during the peak fishing season when lobstermen are earning an important part of their income. It is incredibly impractical, burdensome and expensive for lobstermen to convert their gear at this time of year. Further, NMFS has not issued clear guidelines to lobstermen on which ropes to purchase. As a result lobstermen have been challenged to find a sinking rope that will work safely and effectively on Maine’s inshore rocky bottom areas and that will clearly comply with the requirements of the rule. Lobstermen need additional time to come into compliance, and the MLA will use this extra time to work cooperatively with others to develop an improved plan to effectively protect endangered whales and keep Maine lobstermen fishing.

“The MLA is counting on our members and those who care deeply about the future of the lobster industry to express their strong support to NMFS in favor of the delay” stated Patrice McCarron, Executive Director of MLA. “A delay will enable the industry to work through the many operational and safety challenges posed by the new sinking groundline requirement.”

The MLA filed a formal request with NMFS in late April, requesting a delay in enforcement to address a range of issues faced by lobstermen as they grapple with the practical implications of the rule’s gear requirements. MLA representatives met with NMFS leadership in late May to further discuss these concerns.

Lobstermen are urged to submit comments in support of the delay. Comments are due on July 7th to Mary Colligan, Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources, NMFS, Northeast Region, 1 Blackburn Dr., Gloucester, MA 01930, Attn: ALWTRP Proposed Rule or via email to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov or via fax to (978) 281-9394; Attn: Diane Borggaard.