On March 19, a subcommittee of the Marine Resources Committee received testimony on alternatives to LD170.  The subcommittee heard that if the State was unwilling to allow its groundfish fleet to land bycatch lobster (estimated at approximately $3 million), it would have to replace the value of that catch by other means to level the playing field with Massachusetts.

The committee discussed immediate financial relief - steps that needed to be taken within the next several months to preserve Maine's fleet - such as handling fee rebates and reduced ice costs.  Long term measures included various low-interest loan programs.

The subcommittee will meet at least once more, before reporting back to the full Committee on March 28.