Golden introduces amendment to block gauge increase for Maine lobstermen

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today introduced a bipartisan amendment to block for one year a proposed gauge increase in the Gulf of Maine by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 

Golden submitted his amendment for consideration in the Fiscal Year 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) cosponsored the amendment.

“Gauge increases are a significant change that must be informed by the best possible science, and both Maine lobstermen and the fishery itself lose when Canada isn’t held to the same standards.” Golden said. “It’s clear that regulators need to work much closer with fishermen to keep the industry sustainable and competitive.”

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, protecting the lobster population for the future. According to the ASMFC, 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Maine fishermen have questioned the data used to justify these changes, including concerns that ASMFC stock data is out of date.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.

In addition to questions about the reliability of the data used by ASMFC, Golden and Maine fishermen have raised concerns about how an increased minimum size requirement would put Maine lobstermen at a competitive disadvantage with Canadians.

Golden’s amendment would block federal funding from being used to implement, administer or enforce ASMFC’s proposed gauge increase. 

“NEFSA is grateful, as always, for Congressman Golden’s continuous support of Maine’s hard-working lobstermen as they continue to navigate through unnecessary Government regulations,” said Dustin Delano, a lobsterman and chief operating officer of the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association. 

“Maine's fishing industry is vital to our coastal communities’ survival,” said Virginia Olsen, commercial lobsterman and director of the Maine Lobstering Union. “Much work needs to be done between Maine and Canada before any gauge increase is implemented. We thank Congressmen Golden for his continued support.”  

In April, Golden sent a letter to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission calling for a delay to its upcoming gauge increase until it worked with fishermen to consider more accurate, comprehensive stock data — as well as the market impacts of a U.S.-only change.

Full text of Golden’s amendment can be found here.

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