Chapter 25.76 Lobster Minimum Size

Date: January 7, 2025

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Location: Jeff’s Catering

Town: Brewer

The Department of Marine Resources will hold a public hearing on Chapter 25.76, Lobster Minimum Size on January 7, 2025 at 5:00 pm at Jeff's Catering in Brewer. 

If the hearing must be cancelled due to inclement weather, an alternate hearing will be held on January 10 at 3:00 pm in DMR’s Conference Room 118, Marquardt Building, 32 Blossom lane, Augusta ME, and remotely via Microsoft Teams. Remote access information is posted to https://www.maine.gov/dmr/home under “meetings”.

BRIEF SUMMARY:

This proposed rule-making incorporates the minimum lobster size required by Addendum XXVII: Increasing Protection of the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank Spawning Stock that was originally approved by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) in May 2023.  In October 2024 Addendum XXXI postponed the implementation of certain measures from Addendum XXVII to July 1, 2025.  For compliance with the current Interstate Fisheries Management Plan, this regulation implements changing the minimum size of lobster from 3 ¼ inches to 3 5/16 inches, effective July 1, 2025.

A link to the proposed regulation is below.