Tag Archives: MLA
Jack Merrill steps down from lobster board after 40 years
After roughly 40 years, Jack Merrill has stepped down from his seat on the Board of Directors of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA), where he has spent the last several decades representing the lobstering community of Little Cranberry Island. The MLA, which according to its website is the oldest fishing industry association on the East Coast, “advocates for a sustainable lobster resource and the fishermen and communities that depend on it.” The decision to leave his post with the MLA was one Merrill had been contemplating for some time. “It is quite a time commitment,” he said, “But well worth it.” But before leaving, he wanted to make sure there would still be a voice on the board for the Little Cranberry lobstering community. “I wanted the island to still have representation,” he said, adding that a younger perspective will be a valuable addition to the board. He found that in Richard Howland of Islesford, who was elected to the board to take Merrill’s place. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 16:36
Maine Lobstermen’s Association Releases Statement on Final Wind Energy Area
“The Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) appreciates that BOEM’s Final Wind Energy Area (WEA) removes Lobster Management Area 1. “MLA worked tirelessly with Maine’s fishing industry, our congressional delegation, and Governor Mills to ensure prime lobster fishing grounds are spared from industrial development. We are proud that so many lobstermen have constructively engaged in this process and grateful that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has listened to their concerns. “But there is still much work to do. Secondary Area C, an area where many endangered North Atlantic right whales are sighted, is included in the Final Wind Energy Area. MLA remains steadfast in its position that no area of the Gulf of Maine should be industrialized with offshore wind. There are still too many unanswered questions about the impacts of offshore wind on the marine environment, commercial fishermen and our fishing heritage.” https://www.mainelobstermen.org/ 12:57
Faulkingham Pitches $1,000,000 State Contribution to Lobster Legal Defense Fund
A public hearing will be held Thursday to discuss a bill aimed at providing financial support to the Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA), a group that represents Maine’s lobster industry. The bill, proposed by House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor), would provide the MLA with a one-time contribution of $1,000,000 to offset large expenses the organization has incurred in recent years as it fights against burdensome federal regulations. Faulkingham expressed his concern for the Maine lobster industry, which he says is “under attack” and facing potentially devastating regulations and lawsuits. >click to read< 08:57
Maine Lobstermen’s Association appreciates Brady’s fundraiser
Lobster is the iconic symbol of the state of Maine, but new federal regulations threaten the future of this fishery. To boost the Maine Lobstermen’s Association’s (MLA) effort to preserve this way of life, the Boothbay Harbor community is teaming up to host a fundraiser on Sunday, Aug. 7. The event, a community lobster dinner, raffle, and auction, will be held at Brady’s, 25 Union Street, from 3-6 p.m. and proceeds will be donated to the MLA’s “Save Maine Lobstermen” campaign. >click to read< 09:45
MLA Decision Disappoints, NOAA will continue to work with the Maine lobster industry
Although the Maine lobster industry formally withdrew its support of the near consensus agreement, members of the Maine caucus have stated a willingness to continue to work with the agency, the Take Reduction Team, the state of Maine, and their members to identify measures that address the risk that the Maine lobster fishery poses to right whales. We stand ready to continue to assist Maine in whatever way possible to achieve the necessary level of risk reduction to these critically endangered whales.,, >click to read< 13:27
Fishing and Politics! ‘When you love both jobs and when you enjoy what you’re doing on both sides, you make it work’
Colin LaVie is a fishing politician: the MLA for Souris-Elmira and a lobster fisherman. He has been fishing professionally out of the eastern P.E.I. port of Souris Harbour for 24 years now, but his passion for it began as a young boy when he started fishing with his father. “He got me into the fishing, and I just fell in love with it…. There’s just no life like it on the water.” He said he loves it so much that it makes balancing his fishing work with his political work worthwhile, even in the busiest of times, like when the house is sitting. >click to read<09:20
