WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced proposed changes to existing regulations to allow single trap lobster fishing to continue around several islands in Maine, a move requested by U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) in a letter to the agency last year.

“Maine’s lobster industry is an economic powerhouse, bringing in millions of dollars every year and supporting the livelihoods of fishermen from York to Lubec,” Senator King said. “NOAA’s proposal strikes an important balance that allows lobstermen to continue to safely fish around several remote islands, as they have in the past, without endangering whales in the greater area.”

In 2014, NOAA finalized a rule for the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) to reduce injuries or deaths of large whales caused by incidental entanglement in fishing equipment. In addition to restricting the type and location of lobster gear used, the plan created several restricted areas in the Gulf of Maine that are closed to certain fishing activities.

Noting that NOAA had previously provided a quarter-mile buffer to allow for single trap fishing off the coast of islands like Monhegan, Matinicus, and Criehaven islands, Senator King wrote to the agency in June 2014, urging it to provide a similar buffer for Metinic, Seal, Wooden Ball, Cedar, Smuttynose, Malaga, Appledore and Duck Islands. The proposed change announced today by NOAA would provide a buffer around the additional islands, as well as Large and Small Green Island near Matinicus.

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