Maine Fishermen May Get License To Break Fishing Rules
Published Date: 12/15/2025
Notice
Summary
The Maine Department of Marine Resources wants special permission to try new lobster fishing gear and methods that don’t follow current federal rules. This could help improve lobster fishing but needs public feedback by December 30, 2025. If approved, some fishing boats can use different traps and gear, potentially changing how lobster fishing works along the Atlantic coast.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Permission to use modified ventless traps
If you are a federally permitted Maine lobster vessel selected for the study, you may be allowed to use modified ventless traps with specific dimensions (40 in x 21 in x 14 in, single parlor, 1-inch square rubber-coated 12-gauge wire, standard shrimp mesh, cement runners, 4 in x 6 in disabling door) during January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 in Gulf of Maine statistical areas 511, 512, and 513. Up to 20 vessels may participate and the modified traps would be fished with Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan-compliant trawls.
Temporary increase in trap allowance for study vessels
Participating federally permitted Maine lobster vessels may be exempted from trap limit rules to allow 3 additional modified traps per vessel, totaling up to 60 modified traps across the project. This exemption would apply for the study period January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 in Gulf of Maine statistical areas 511–513, with up to 20 vessels and up to 36 trips per vessel.
Allowance for use of untagged modified traps
For the research program running January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026, participating vessels may be allowed to use untagged modified traps, provided each modified trap has the participating fisherman's identification attached. This applies in Gulf of Maine statistical areas 511, 512, and 513 for up to 20 vessels.
Onboard biological sampling of protected lobsters and crabs
Participating vessels in the January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026 study may be exempted from possession restrictions to allow onboard biological sampling of undersized, v-notched, and egg-bearing lobsters and undersized and egg-bearing Jonah crabs; all sampled specimens would be returned to the ocean after sampling. The project could involve up to 20 vessels, up to 36 trips per vessel, and up to 720 total trips in statistical areas 511–513.
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