Tag Archives: Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Pat Keliher.

Maine lobstermen prepare for uncertain summer season, hoping for further federal relief

More than 1,300 lobstermen in Maine – about 1 in 3 – received forgivable loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), with the majority amounting to roughly $10,900.,, New data from the U.S. Small Business Administration shows that altogether, Maine’s lobster industry received roughly $24 million in PPP funding, the most given to any business concern in the state; dine-in restaurants, beauty salons, real estate, and home building received the next highest amounts. While the bulk of the fishing sector money – nearly $15 million – went to fishermen, some dealers, retailers and processors received loans between $150,000 and $1 million. >click to read< 17:49

No consideration given to lobstermen by Army Corps of Engineers Royal River dredging project

The Army Corps of Engineers is overseeing the project, which is set to begin on October 14th, and last until April. Sediment will be removed from the mouth of the Royal River and will be hauled along a 15 mile stretch to a disposal site in Portland. All fishing gear along the hauling route has to be removed by next week, and some fishermen said they did not hear about the plans until Monday morning. Video, Read the rest here 12:55