MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • February 6, 2022
The Maine Lobstermen’s Association and their political allies claim that new regulations to make fishing gear safer for right whales will put the lobster fishery out of business. Where is the evidence? Massachusetts and Canadian lobster fisheries are already investing in changes that the MLA claims are impossible. Digging in for a fight means that Maine lobstermen fall behind the competition. Instead, Maine leaders could deploy on-demand fishing technology, and transition to whale-safe end-lines. If whale-safe gear rules disappeared, it would not “save” Maine fishermen. Prepare for tomorrow’s greatest threat: climate change. Reroute legal and marketing funds to what will really save Maine fishermen: looking ahead to the next viable fisheries; investing in fishing community resilience, and supporting technologies that allow fishermen to continue to fish without harm to vulnerable populations of marine life. ~ Brenna Sowder, Rockport