As pressure mounts, more Maine lobstermen are quietly trying ‘ropeless’ gear

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 29, 2022

Organizations that have been testing experimental fishing gear designed to protect whales are seeing growing interest from Maine fishermen after recent setbacks have pushed the state’s lobster industry on its heels. A handful of groups have been testing new “ropeless” and “on-demand” fishing gear for more than a year. Now more Mainers, worried for the lobster fishery’s future, are reconsidering the technology. While some fishermen are looking to test now that they are backed into a regulatory corner, many are still vehemently against ropeless.