PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 10, 2022
The political power of lobster was on full display in Maine this week as politicians of almost every stripe scrambled to show their support for Maine’s most valuable fishery after a series of crushing setbacks in the marketplace and the federal courts. This week, a conservation group put American lobster on its “red list” of seafood to be avoided because it claims the fishery poses a risk to the endangered North Atlantic right whale. Also, a judge ruled against the industry’s challenge of the government’s assessment of the risk its fishing gear poses to those whales. “These guys are fed up,” Gov. Janet Mills said, pointing to the fishermen. “I’m fed up. We’re all fed up. The price of bait, the price of fuel, and now, these two hits in one week? There’s no balancing here, no stopping to take a look at the economic impact. It’s irresponsible.”