Lobster License Latent Effort at Top of DMR Road Show Meetings

by Mike Crowe

Latent licenses were at the top of the topic list at the eight Lobster Community Meetings held along the coast by the Maine Department of Maine Resources (DMR) between August 31 and September 30. While there was little agreement on any particular solution, all agreed it was a complex issue that needed to be addressed.

The long waiting list to get a license—some on the list for 10 years—is one of the primary drivers for change. That pressure has led the legislature to demand some kind of change from the DMR or they have said the legislature will make the change.

Each of the lobster zones has a range of reasons for having different management strategies, including latent licenses. Zone C is the only zone with no specific regulations on this beyond a two-year apprenticeship before being allowed into the fishery. Other zones retire licenses by a number of tags and others by the number licenses that must exit the fishery before a new license can enter.

Those who hold licenses but for many reasons do not fish, or fish few of the traps they have tags for, “are just part of the equation,” said Beals Island lobsterman Rock Alley, who fishes offshore. “There is more behind the concerns than latent licenses—total landings, lobster larvae health, the small lobster counts, a long soft shell season, etc.” Alley said the water where he fishes is still 55 degrees and 50% of what he is catching are soft shells. At the same time, Casco Bay is reporting the best year in 10 years.

Bob Baines fishes out of Spruce Head. He said the reception of change varies from zone to zone. He thought Zone E was more receptive to change than Zone D, which voted to not support proposed changes. Baines has chaired the Lobster Advisory Council, and said, “Latency needs to be dealt with before we make changes to our system.” He added, “We cannot continue to increase the number of traps.” Baines said he thought it was important to leave the process as is until a sound solution can be found.

Fixing entry means latency-a tough proposition, many fishermen agree. There are about 1,500 latent licenses. Baines saud the offshore lobster fishery has greatly expanded in recent years. If the offshore resource stumbles, the question is—could those boats come inshore?

Winter Harbor lobsterman Kit Johnson said he thought there should be one license for inshore and a separate license for offshore. Currently, to lobster offshore beyond the three-mile limit, a federal license is required. To land those lobsters in Maine, a Maine license is also required.

Cutler fisherman Kirsten Porter wondered how to cut latent licenses fairly. The zones exist so they can customize some of their regulations to fishing and other conditions. For example, when a licensee dies, the license reverts to the state. Some would like to see a bloodline transfer. “But,” said Porter, “that could tie up licenses for endless generations until no one new could get into the fishery.”

Some say the current political climate in Augusta worries them because any suggested solution to latent effort, even if passed by the legislature, could be vetoed by the governor. Johnson said pressure from those on the waiting list drives the legislature. He said, “Those who have a license say we’re okay, and don’t want any more to enter.” The fear many have is that legislators with insufficient knowledge of the fishery, its traditions and its history of self-regulation, will pass something unacceptable to fishermen and the future of the industry.