The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is studying to establish restringer rules on the sizes of lobster fisheries in Maine. Initial statements of the Commission claim a troubling decline in young lobster, while fishermen question it.

The lobster harvest is the largest and most valuable of all New England fisheries. Thus its protection is truly important and proactive measures to care for the spawning stock are indispensable.

All seasons, assessments and different observations are set to secure lobster sustainability and stock. In this case, the latest evaluations of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) show a worrisome decline in juvenile lobster.

Although, fishermen are suspicious of this possible measurement. The reason is that fishermen, during Maine’s landing and excepting last year, have generally trended upward for a decade. It is said by a few lobstermen that Maine’s sector is unfairly regulated in comparison to fisheries in other New England states and Canada. For instance, fishermen claim that Canadian lobstermen arrive in the Gulf of Maine but are not subject to the same regulations.

The Commission can change measurement sizes from the minimum to the maximum in certain parts of the Gulf of Maine according to certain numbers reached in the juvenile lobster population. However, the measures could also apply in phases, no later than 2026.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will expect to meet in May for establishing a recommendation. Besides, the Commission and Maine DMR will organize other meetings on the proposal for the next week. Nowadays the minimum and the maximum sizes of the lobster in Main are maintained, only future meetings would shed light on this.