Golden pushes to delay proposed minimum size increase for Maine lobstermen

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today sent a letter to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) denouncing its proposal to implement a gauge increase in the Gulf of Maine, and urged the Commission to delay action until it works with fishermen to consider more accurate data.

According to ASMFC claims, lobster stock decline in Lobster Management Area 1 has surpassed 35 percent — the trigger point for an automatic increase in allowable catch size from 3 1/4 inches to 3 5/16 inches. However, Maine fishermen have questioned the data used to justify these changes, including concerns that ASMFC stock data is out of date. This new rule — known as Addendum 27 — is scheduled to begin in January 2025. 

“As we have seen time and again, fishermen in Maine, particularly lobstermen, have shown to be proactive and excellent stewards of the environment and recognize the importance of maintaining the health of their fishery,” Golden said. “With a pause, ASMFC would have the opportunity to consider more comprehensive data from 2023 further, work with fishermen, dealers, and trade associations to address the concerns raised while ensuring the data collected accurately represents the current lobster stock and fully understand the market impacts of a U.S.-only gauge increase.”

Lobstermen gauge the size of a lobster by measuring its carapace from eye socket to tail. Lobsters that are smaller than the minimum gauge size must be put back in the water so they can grow. In addition to questions about the reliability of the data used by ASMFC, Golden raised concerns about how an increased minimum size requirement would put Maine lobstermen at a competitive disadvantage with Canadians.

“By continuing forward with the Addendum 27 implementation schedule without a delay, ASMFC will jeopardize the livelihoods of fishermen and dealers up and down the coast,” saidDustin Delano, a lobsterman and chief operating officer of the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association. “The New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association appreciates Congressman Golden for speaking out against this misguided rule, and for his continued support of Maine’s fishing industry.”

“The Maine Lobstering Union is extremely thankful for Congressman Golden's unwavering support of Maine’s Lobster fishermen and our industry.” saidVirginia Olsen, commercial lobsterman and director of the Maine Lobstering Union. “The inequalities between the Maine and Canadian fisheries need to be resolved prior to Addendum 27. There are still crucial conversations that need to be had. The datasets used within the Fisheries Management Plan, and how climate change is impacting the fishery, as well as our data collection methods all need to be looked at thoroughly before implementing this crippling increase to the minimum possession size of the American Lobster.” 

Golden’s letter can be found here, and is included below in full:

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April 29, 2024

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
Robert Beal, Executive Director
1050 North Highland St, Suite 200 A-N
Arlington, VA 22201

Dear Director Beal and Commissioners,

I am requesting that the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and American Lobster Board consider delaying the implementation of the Lobster Management Area 1 gauge increase, Addendum 27, which is now scheduled to begin in January 2025. While the intent of Addendum 27 is designed to take a proactive approach to managing potential stock declines of American lobster, I am deeply concerned about the implications a gauge increase next year – absent robust economic and scientific analyses – will have on the viability of Maine’s lobster industry and the communities it supports.

Based on conversations with fishermen and dealers, I am concerned that the data used to arrive at the trigger index was overly precautionary and that the data used to arrive at the index has limitations, raising concern that it does not entirely reflect the current status of the stock. I’m further concerned that the ASMFC and the Maine Department of Marine Resources have not relied more on the observations and experience of Maine lobstermen, who possess invaluable local knowledge and expertise. Additionally, independently and through trade associations, lobstermen have shared concerns about the limitations of the current data used.

Without further delay in implementing Addendum 27, I am concerned about how this would impact the entire industry. Lobster dealers have told me that this gauge change hurts U.S. lobstermen but is beneficial to Canadian lobstermen, and the Mitchell Provision is only further detrimental to US lobstermen and the economy. We know dealers must have a steady lobster supply to be financially viable. Proceeding as proposed could create a dire economic situation for harvesters and processors. I would further encourage the ASMFC to conduct a study to understand the market impacts of a U.S.-only gauge increase.

As we have seen time and again, fishermen in Maine, particularly lobstermen, have shown to be proactive and excellent stewards of the environment and recognize the importance of maintaining the health of their fishery. With a pause, ASMFC would have the opportunity to consider more comprehensive data from 2023 further, work with fishermen, dealers, and trade associations to address the concerns raised while ensuring the data collected accurately represents the current lobster stock and fully understand the market impacts of a U.S.-only gauge increase.

Sincerely,

Jared F. Golden
Member of Congress 

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