Maine lobstermen now required to report harvest totals

The start of 2023 marked a change in how lobstermen in Maine must handle catch reporting.

As of 1 January, commercial lobstermen in Maine – who were responsible for 80 percent of the U.S.’s lobster catch in 2021 – must now report all harvest electronically. Until the rule change, Maine had a 10 percent harvester, 100 percent dealer reporting rule.

As the change began to take effect, Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher issued a statement to lobstermen in the state committing to help make a smooth transition to 100 percent reporting.

“I know it isn’t popular, but it’s an important piece of securing the best data possible to understand effort in Maine’s lobster industry,” Keliher wrote. “Having this information should improve management in a number of ways, including when it comes to both whales, and the lobster resource" …

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