Daily Archives: January 8, 2025
Public Hearings on Proposed Rulemaking: Chapter 25.76 Lobster Minimum Size
It has come to the Department’s attention that all interested parties may not have received the notification regarding the public hearings on the proposed rulemaking for Chapter 25.76 Lobster Minimum Size that was sent out in December 2024. For interested parties who did not receive the original notification, we want to make you aware of the hybrid public hearing that will take place tomorrow, January 9 at 5:00 pm in DMR’s Conference Room 118, Marquardt Building, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta ME and remotely through Microsoft TEAMS. Information on how to provide a comment or attend this hearing is at the bottom of this notice. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 15:23
Fishermen victory in NEFSA v Raimondo case
A federal court gave hardworking fishermen a partial victory against rogue bureaucrats last week, declaring that a key regulatory body is unconstitutional in critical respects. The U.S. District Court for the District of Maine ruled that the New England Fishery Management Council violates the Constitution because its unelected, unaccountable members can override elected officials – even the President – when crafting regulatory plans. However, the court then “severed” the override power, protecting the council and its suffocating regulations. “NEFSA is pleased that the court agreed there are constitutional problems with the council,” said NEFSA CEO Jerry Leeman. “But this is only a partial victory. The court rewrote the statute to salvage the regulations that are driving fishermen off the water and decimating our coastal communities. NEFSA is carefully considering an appeal.” more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 14:20
Lobster 207 settles long-standing lawsuit against former CEO for $5 million
Lobster 207 will receive a $5 million settlement against its former CEO Warren Pettegrow, his parents Anthony and Josette Pettegrow, and co-defendants accused in a long-running legal saga of overcharging the lobster wholesaler for lobsters and pocketing the difference. The settlement ends what has been a long back-and-forth in court that generated hundreds of legal documents. “We are pretty relieved to move this forward,” Lobster 207 President Michael Yohe said at a Jan. 7 press conference. “It’s just a new start for us.” The parties reached the settlement on Jan. 3, just three days before jury selection was scheduled in U.S. District Court in Bangor. Photos, more>>CLICK TO READ<< 11:40
Maine Lobstering Union’s Lobster 207 Receives in Excess of $5 Million Settlement in Giant Step Forward for Maine’s Lobstering Communities — Lobster 207, a co-op formed by the Maine Lobstering Union, is pleased to announce that it has emerged with a more than a $5 million settlement in its favor after five years of litigation against a former CEO, Warren Pettegrow, his parents, their companies and another alleged co-conspirator. -more,>>CLICK TO READ<<
Bipartisan FISHES Act Signed into Law, Expediting Fishery Disaster Relief Nationwide
The Bipartisan FISHES Act (H.R. 5103), aimed at streamlining federal disaster relief for fisheries, was signed into law this past weekend by President Biden. The legislation, formally titled the “Fishery Improvement to Streamline Untimely Regulatory Hurdles post Emergency Situation Act,” marks a significant step toward addressing delays in disaster aid for communities impacted by fishery-related crises. The bill, sponsored by Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) and supported in the Senate by Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), received unanimous support in both chambers of Congress. It aims to expedite relief distribution following official fishery disaster declarations, a process often hampered by bureaucratic delays. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 09:53
Iceland: Evacuated a fish processing plant due to torpedo bomb
The Akureyri Fishing Company’s fish processing plant was evacuated shortly after noon today due to a torpedo bomb that entered the fishing gear of the trawler Björg EA. The bomb landed in the last part of the fishing trip. Björg EA arrived in Akureyri this morning, according to a post on the Samherji website. It is reported that the bomb is in bad condition and the crew initially thought it was an old iron barrel. Upon closer inspection, however, the object turned out to be a torpedo bomb. “Contact was made with the Coast Guard’s bomb experts and they are expected north this afternoon. It was decided to evacuate the area to a radius of one hundred meters from the pier, so processing was stopped today to ensure maximum safety.” more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 08:10
UPDATE: Bottom Trawl Survey of the Maine Research Array Wind Energy Area Re-Scheduled to Begin the Week of January 27, 2025
This notice is to inform you that the bottom trawl survey of the Maine Research Array Wind Energy (MeRA) Area, previously scheduled to begin January 13, 2025, is now tentatively scheduled to begin the week of January 27, 2025 and run through March 1, 2025. This remains a tentative timeframe – survey schedules will be posted here on DMR’s website as they are available. The survey will be conducted during seven days within this timeframe. The exact dates will be weather dependent. Operations will be conducted during daylight hours. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:28
Athearn Marine Agency Boat of the Week: 38′ H&H Lobster/Scalloper, 425HP John Deere 6090 Diesel
To review specifications, information, with 10 photos’, >click here<. Includes 4′ aluminum extension and 400 traps, including scallop gear with winch, mast, boom, 2 drags. To see all the boats in this series >click here<. 06:28
