Golden renews call for regulators to delay U.S.-only minimum size requirements for harvesting lobster

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today continued his effort to stop regulators from moving forward with a U.S.-only gauge increase for catchable lobster. 

Golden sent a letter urging a pause to Robert Beal, Executive Director of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), ahead of its meeting tomorrow, when commissioners will debate the proposed rule, known as Addendum 27. 

“Maine lobstermen are staunch defenders of their fishery, and they deserve to make a living on a level playing field,” Golden said. “ASMFC’s unilateral proposal will only hurt our lobstermen while doing nothing to better preserve the resource. It’s clear that regulators need to step back and reevaluate.” 

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 thrown back 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Maine lobstermen have questioned the data used to justify these changes, including concerns that ASMFC stock data is out of date. This new rule 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, who are not subject to the same restrictions.

Last month, Golden introduced a bipartisan amendment to the federal budget that 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,” Dustin Delano, a lobsterman and chief operating officer of the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association, said when the amendment was introduced. 

“Maine's fishing industry is vital to our coastal communities’ survival,” Virginia Olsen, commercial lobsterman and director of the Maine Lobstering Union, said when the amendment was introduced. “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 an initial letter to ASMFC 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. Since Golden’s letter, the agency has provided no indication that it would walk back its proposal, despite widespread concern from Maine’s fishing community. 

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

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August 5, 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 writing to again request that the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the American Lobster Board delay the implementation of the Lobster Management Area 1 gauge increase, Addendum 27, scheduled to begin in January 2025. Additionally, I request that the ASMFC table any consideration of Addendum 30 until Addendum 27 has been thoroughly evaluated for potential economic threats and incorporates thorough scientific data and objective analysis that is acceptable to both regulators and members of the commercial lobster fishery.

The intent of Addendum 27 is to mitigate the perceived declining stocks of American lobster proactively. However, it is clear from conversations I have had with harvesters, processors, and dealers that the data used to arrive at the trigger index was overly precautionary and that the index has serious limitations, raising concerns that it does not entirely reflect the current status of the stock. Additionally, despite pleas from the industry, regulators have yet to meaningfully engage with Maine lobstermen and incorporate their observations and invaluable expertise.

It is also troubling that Addendum 27, as currently proposed, fails to account for the fact that Maine’s lobster industry is an economic engine for the state, generating more than $1 billion annually and supporting the livelihoods of 4,500 lobstermen and thousands of Mainers employed through lobster dealers and seafood processors, vessel and trap manufacturers, restaurants, and other coastal businesses. Lobster is regularly the highest-value species harvested in the United States — a direct result of strict adherence to conservation measures that sustain the resource. According to a recent study conducted by Colby College’s Laboratory for Economic Studies, Addendum 27 would create significant economic disruption to Maine communities. For the latest year data is available, Addendum 27 would decrease the value of lobster landings, resulting in a loss of over 680 jobs and $59.6 million to Maine’s economy. Without further delay in implementing Addendum 27, I am concerned about how this would impact the industry and the hundreds of communities in Maine that depend on a viable lobster fishery.

I also believe that the ASMFC should not proceed with Addendum 30 which has only been deemed necessary as a result of the ill-conceived Addendum 27. Industry stakeholders have continued to tell me that this gauge change hurts the U.S. while benefiting Canada, whose lobstermen fishing in the same waters as American lobstermen would not have to adhere to the same restrictions. We know dealers and processors must have a steady lobster supply to keep their businesses open, which is why proceeding without ensuring that Canadian regulators impose similar requirements is not only economically detrimental but will do nothing to protect the future health of lobster stocks. I would encourage the ASMFC to conduct further studies to understand the market impacts of a U.S.-only gauge increase and to engage further with our Canadian counterparts to ensure all lobstermen are playing by the same rules.

Further, a pause would provide ASMFC the time needed to consider more comprehensive data from 2023, gain a full understanding of market impacts, and engage more broadly with fishermen, dealers, and trade associations to address their concerns.

A pause would also support, what should be, the ASFMC’S ultimate goal – to ensure that accurate data is collected and used to inform policy and regulatory decisions. These decisions must always include those with significant experience, the harvesters themselves. That is why I will always take the side of our commercial fishermen.

Sincerely,

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