Letter: New regulations give Maine lobstermen a well-deserved break

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 19, 2023

Maine lobstermen have always been leaders in conservation, and the exceptionally well-managed lobster population is a testament to their environmental stewardship. They have proactively taken significant actions to protect the endangered right whale, such as removing 30,000 miles of rope from the water and adding weak links to their lines. Even though there has never been a single right whale death attributed to Maine lobster gear, radical activists from away have pushed for punishing regulations that would put countless Mainers out of work. Fortunately, Maine’s congressional delegation, led by Sen. Susan Collins, recently secured a lifeline for our lobstermen prohibiting onerous new rules from going into effect for six years. We were proud to follow Sen. Collins’ lead. ~ Cornelius Russell, Samoset Resort, Rockport; Jean Ginn Marvin, Nonantum Resort, Scarborough