The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) repealed a controversial proposal to increase the minimum catch size limits for lobsters in the Gulf of Maine.
The ASMFC said its decision stems from “fervent industry concerns about the potential economic impacts” of the increased minimum gauge size in the Gulf of Maine and possible trade issues with Canada.
The rule was set to go into effect on July 1, 2025.
“Rolling back resiliency measures is not at all what I wanted to have happened. After multiple zone council meetings, we have been unable to convince the industry that now is an appropriate time to act,” Keliher told the board, per the Portland Press Herald. “But the Maine industry can’t expect to solve their problems on the backs of others. It is imperative they come up with something.”
The publication noted that members of ASMFC’s American Lobster Management Board “begrudgingly” expressed support for the repeal as they made clear that conservation efforts should ensure the health of Maine’s young lobster populations.
Gauge increases aren’t entirely off the table, but the repeal will allow the industry and other key stakeholders more time to take alternative measures.
“Rolling back the resiliency measures in Addendum XXVII results in increased risk to the long-term viability of the lobster fishery,” statds Board Chair Patrick Keliher of Maine. “This action being considered by the Board will require the Gulf of Maine lobster industry to develop management strategies to ensure the long-term health of the resource and the coastal communities that it supports.”
The Gulf of Maine states also reiterated their commitment to the sustainability of the lobster fishery and working closely with the lobster industry to develop alternative conservation measures.
To repeal Addendum 27, the Commission’s Lobster Board initiated Draft Addendum XXXII (32) to Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster. Addendum 27 was initially approved to provide additional protection to the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank spawning stock biomass. This included increasing the minimum size of gauges fishers use to measure lobsters and prohibiting the harvesting of lobsters smaller than 3 5/16 inches in Management Area 1, a quarter inch more than the previous 3 1/4-inch mark. ASMFC previously noted that the decision to increase the minimum catch size was due to a decline in the lobster stock in Management Area 1, which has surpassed the 35% threshold set by the commission.
Initially, lobstermen would have had to work with the gauge change starting in June 2024, however that was delayed until July 2025. Now, that rule will be repealed.
Still, the ASMFC noted that persistent declines in the juvenile lobster population are a cause for concern. The commission highlighted a 40% decline in pre-recruits in the multiple ventless trap and trawl surveys and a 24% decline in lobster landings in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts since peak landings in 2016.
Just days ago, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, in a letter to ASMFC Executive Director Robert Beal, advocated for the repeal of Addendum 27, as Expana reported.
New Bedford’s call for repeal followed New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte’s letter on January 21 and Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) Commissioner Patrick Keliher’s decision to withdraw the rule on January 9.
In his letter, Mitchell stated that limiting the size of lobsters that US lobstermen can catch will likely have a negligible effect on conservational measures, given that Canadian lobstermen are not subject to ASMFC regulations.
Written by Nick Wood
