Lawmakers issue strong rebuke after conservation group adds lobster to 'red list'

SPECTRUM NEWS • September 9, 2022

Seafood Watch says lines from lobster traps could entangle North Atlantic Right Whales, an endangered species, which could potentially lead to their deaths. The group, in its report, claims that the fishing industry is a danger to North Atlantic right whales because "current management measures do not go far enough to mitigate entanglement risks and promote recovery of the species." Since the announcement, lawmakers from both states have issued a strong rebuke against the conservation organization, coming to the defense of an industry they say is unfairly being targeted. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine., held a press conference with Maine's Governor Janet Mills and joined a statement cosigned by Maine's entire congressional delegation, calling the "red list" designation “reckless" and “irresponsible."