West Boothbay Harbor – The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) has received two grants totaling $5,050,658 from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). The funds will support research into alternatives to traditional lobster trap and buoy fishing gear which may be required by future regulations to reduce the risk of serious injury and mortality to endangered north Atlantic right whales (NARW).

Notice of Aquaculture Lease Hearing - Town of Freeport - Postponed to January 11^th

The Maine Department of Marine Resource’s Sea-run Fisheries and Habitat Bureau has received $5.9 million to improve habitat for endangered Atlantic salmon in Maine rivers that hold the last remaining populations of the iconic species.  This project is also expected to benefit other sea-run fish species and wild native brook trout populations.   

The Commercial Fishing Safety Council working group will meet via Microsoft Teams on Thursday, November 16th from 7pm to 8pm. A Link to join the meeting is below and an agenda is attached to this notice.

The next Lobster Advisory Council (LAC) Meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 15th, 2023 at 5:00 PM.  

Augusta – The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) has announced the latest winners of the state’s scallop license lotteries. The winners include the following:

Arlington, VA – The Atlantic coastal states of Maine through Virginia have scheduled hearings to gather public input on Draft Addendum II to Amendment 7 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass, which considers management measures designed to support stock rebuilding by reducing fishing mortality to the target in 2024.