09/13/2022
People have been asking and I want to spread the TRUTH!
August 31, 2021 The NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) published its’ final rule to modify the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan. Gear modifications went into effect on May 1, 2022. The 200 page document laid out several changes that fishermen made to their gear in order to bring a 60% reduction in entanglement danger for right whales. There was no evidence of this harm to right whales, not one documented case of a right whale being entangled by fishing gear.
September 26, 2021 The Maine Lobsterman’s Association filed a lawsuit against the federal government charging that the new rules designed to protect whales are not based on the best available science.
October 13, 2021 the Biden Administration announced their plan to develop large-scale wind farms along almost the entire coastline of the U.S. The goal is to lease federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Maine, Mid-Atlantic, North & South Carolina, California, and Oregon by 2025. He has pledged to promote electric vehicles, wind, and solar power and build 30,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2030.
On September 8, 2022 the Monterey Bay Aquarium puts American lobster on its red list. This includes lobster from the US or Canada. This is an organization that is widely regarded as the industry standard for many companies. Hello Fresh and Blue Apron pull lobster off their menus.
On September 9, 2022 a federal judge rejected a lawsuit brought by Maine lobstermen aimed at blocking new regulations designed to protect the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale. Also Whole Foods in Portland vows to ban lobster from it’s store. This had already happened in 2006 but Whole Foods decided to make an exception when it opened its’ store in Portland, ME.
This is just a part of the larger timeline of events that have occurred in the last couple years aimed at killing the lobster industry.
Calling for a 90% risk reduction looks something like this and this is what is being asked for as possible solutions by the National Marine Fisheries Services (also known as NOAA). Also keep in mind that they have downgraded us to saying that we have only satisfied the rules by 50% rather than the 60% originally stated.
94% risk reduction = year-round closure of all federal fixed gear fisheries from Maine to Florida
89% risk reduction = closure of federal lobster fishery in Zones A & B in June/July, in Zones C, D & E in Oct/Nov/Dec/Jan, in Zones F &G in Feb/Mar/Apr/May + remove 50% of VL + 75% weak rope for remaining VL
78% risk reduction = remove 50% VL +75% weak rope for remaining VL from 0 - 12 miles and 33% weak rope for remaining VL 12+ miles out NOTE: removing 50% of VL cannot be accomplished through a 50% trap reduction. It would take a much higher trap reduction to remove half the rope from the water.
In 2021 Maine alone brought in over 108 million lbs in landings. At least 80 percent of America’s lobsters are hauled in from Maine waters. The lobster industry brings in 1 billinon per year to Maine’s economy! Maine already ranks 44th economically and is struggling to keep it’s youth, businesses, and jobs here so we’re going to take away something that we depend on in so many ways.
If we’re truly talking about saving right whales, then why are we putting huge windmill platforms in the water?
It’s laughable that companies like Blue Apron and Whole Foods are pulling lobster off of their inventory yet they’re selling meat, chicken, and eggs like it’s going out of style? How are they sustainably sourced? Raised in poor environments to slaughter, but lobster, one of the most sustainably sourced products in Maine is questioned?
My father was heavily involved in the conservation efforts that we use today to maintain a healthy lobster population long-term. The amount of research that goes into everything from lobster migration, reproductive cycles, and the impact of different types of fishing and their effects on the lobster population is heavily regarded. What science do we see about right whales? Where are these entanglements happening? I want to see the evidence!
The lobster fishing community doesn’t want to see right whales go extinct and has blindly modified so much of it’s fishery to help sustain the right whale. But now, the fear is that Maine lobster goes extinct.
Environmentalists say that they believe windmills and lobstermen can co-exist. Are we going to take the blame when windmills destroy the ocean floor and all the species surrounding them? Where are the studies on that?
The federal government is backed by more funding for this than we can compete with. The State of Maine relies heavily on federal funding for many, many things, including the Lobster Industry. Just follow the money. It’s a sad state of affairs in this country and taking out Maine lobster would be one more way to darken the days around here.
So there you have it! I’ve been at loss these last couple days. On a personal note, I’m a proud retired Marine Patrol Lieutenant’s daughter, proud 3rd generation fisherman’s wife, and I feel humbled to be able to raise the 4th generation into this incredible business that teaches hard-work, self-sufficiency, and allows my children to immerse themselves into the beauty that surrounds us and gives them an appreciation for what conservation and the circle of life is all about. It saddens me to think that this could all be over. This is our livelihood and how we support our family. This is our way of life and it’s about time that big money sees it’s way out of it!
