Editorial: It’s about time lobster regulation was informed by lobster fishery

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • May 4, 2025

The state of Maine last week announced it has undertaken to conduct the first survey of commercial lobstermen in almost 20 years. Too infrequently are the primary sources of each of our state’s most valuable and vital industries — and none of greater cultural importance than lobster fishing — asked for their informed, experienced read. Fishermen were kept on the sidelines of the process of ropeless gear testing in 2023, which fueled already-pulsing distrust of a technology that was suspected to lead to inefficiency. The survey needs to be exhaustive…without asking too much. It’s a tall order, one that’s important Maine makes its very best effort to fulfill.