Our original proposal was entitled LD170, "An Act To Permit the Landing of Lobsters Harvested by Methods other than Conventional Traps" It would have allowed limited amounts of bycatch lobster to be landed in Maine as it can be in all other New England states. It also would have adhered to Maine's oversize and v-notch regulations, and set a cap on non-trap landings. But in the face of stiff opposition from Maine's lobster industry, the legislative Marine Resources Committee declined to advance this proposal. More information about LD170. We developed a second proposal to help Maine groundfishermen. Letters and public testimony from Maine fishermen demonstrated that if they were not allowed to land bycatch lobster in Maine, the exodus to Massachusetts would increase. Maine's decision to not permit bycatch lobster landings does not change the fact that many offshore vessels earn $50,000-$100,000 per year in bycatch revenue - revenue that Maine vessels can no longer afford to give up. Our new proposal again attempts to level the playing field with Massachusetts by reimbursing vessels for foregone bycatch lobster revenue. It eliminates Maine's sales tax on diesel fuel currently charged to groundfishing vessels, another barrier to doing business in the state. And it provides low-interest loans, and other measures to assist Maine's coastal fleet:
If the State does not craft a manner to level the playing field with Massachusetts, the majority of Maine's groundfish landings will leave for Massachusetts. We believe close to 25% of groundfish traditionally landed in Maine catch is being landed in Massachusetts now, and if barriers to doing business in the state are not eliminated, the figure will climb over 50%. Maine's bycatch prohibition has already cost the State 350 jobs, and more are at stake. |