NOAA Fisheries Closes Federal Scallop Fishing in Northern Gulf of Maine Until April 2026

Today, NOAA Fisheries (NMFS) announced the closure of the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) Scallop Management Area to all scallop vessels fishing under federal scallop regulations, effective April 28, 2025, at 0001 hour.

According to NMFS’ recent press release, the federal entity projects that 100% of the set-aside for the NGOM Scallop Management Area will be taken by April 28, henceforth the end of the 2025 fishing season.  

Per the announcement, no scallop vessels within the federally permitted limited access general category may fish...

Highwood Harbor Acquires Nova Seafood, Expanding Seafood Portfolio

Highwood Harbor, a group backed by seafood entrepreneur Jordan Mazzetta, announced the acquisition of Maine-based seafood processor and distribution company Nova Seafood.

The firm, owned by Angelo Ciocca and George Branco for the past 30-plus years, will continue to operate under the same management and practices.

Jordan Mazzetta, owner of Highwood Harbor, expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition: "We are thrilled to welcome Nova Seafood into the Highwood Harbor family. Angelo, George, and their team have built an incredible legacy over the past three decades, and we are committed to...

Lobster Prices Drive Improved Landings Value for Maine’s Fishing Industry

New data shared by the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) indicated that harvesters in the state earned $74 million more in 2024 than in 2023 with total landings valued at $709,509,984.

“During a year shaped by unprecedented storms and damage to our working waterfronts, Maine’s commercial fishermen, aquaculturists, and seafood dealers once again delivered a major economic benefit to our state,” said Governor Janet Mills. “They did so through hard work and their time-honored commitment to producing and delivering the best seafood in the world...

Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher to Retire

Maine Governor Janet Mills announced that Patrick Keliher, the long-time Commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR), will retire on March 14.

Keliher was the longest-serving commissioner in DMR’s history. Mills reappointed him in 2019, but he had been in the role since 2012.

“Over his tenure, Keliher has earned a reputation as a strong and influential voice for the protection of Maine's marine resources and environment, and a powerful advocate for the Maine industries, communities, and people that depend on them...

Body Recovered from Sunken Scallop Boat Off Maine Coast Was Father Chester Barrett

The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) released a bulletin today confirming the identity of the recovered body from the fishing vessel Sudden Impact, which sunk off the coast of Maine in mid-January.

Per the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, the body recovered from the wreckage on Sunday, February 2 was confirmed to be Chester “Chet” Barrett of South Addison.

The search for Barrett and his son, Aaron, began on January 19, after the two men failed to return home from a fishing trip the day...

UMaine-led Team Develops More Holistic Way to Monitor Lobster Industry

Maine’s lobster fishery — one that supports thousands of jobs statewide — is extensively monitored. Management efforts are informed by biological monitoring surveys observing changes in abundance and distribution of the lobster population, and dealer and harvester reporting from the industry. Yet these statistics don’t tell the whole story of an industry shaken by supply and market disruptions and geopolitical conflict, or the welfare of the people and communities that rely on it. 

Since the annual commercial lobster landings have declined 27% from 2016-2022, the Maine Lobstermen’s Association...

Maine Lobstermen Urged to Relocate Gear After Right Whale Sightings

The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) released a bulletin urging commercial lobstermen to move their gear from Jeffreys Ledge after 75 endangered North Atlantic right whales were spotted last week just off the western edge of the area, per a January 17 bulletin.

“I am strongly urging any lobster fisherman with gear in the vicinity of the right whales on Jeffreys Ledge to move their gear to another area until surveys indicate that the whales have moved on,” DMR Commissioner Patrick Keliher said...

Maine Cooperative Lobster 207 Wins $5 Million Settlement in CEO Misconduct Case 

Lobster 207, a co-op formed by the Maine Lobstering Union (MLU), landed a $5 million settlement in its favor after five years in court against a former CEO, Warren Pettegrow, his parents, and other parties.

Lobster 207 alleged that the defendants engaged in a “course of misconduct that resulted in serious economic injuries to Lobster 207 " through schemes, rackets, and misrepresentations. The Portland Press Herald reported that the family continues to deny the charges.

The lawsuit, filed in 2019, alleges that the Pettegrows defrauded...

CLF Claims Cooke’s Salmon Farms Violate Clean Water Act; Cooke Pushes Back

Cooke Aquaculture USA, a subsidiary of seafood giant Cooke Inc., denied the allegations made by the Conservation Law Foundation in its November 14 notice of intent to file suit over claims of Clean Water Act violations.

CLF alleged that Cooke violated the Clean Water Act at 13 active sites in Maine where it farms salmon. The organization claimed that “(Cooke) regularly pollutes Maine’s iconic bays and negatively impacts recreation and the lobstering and fishing industries.”

Canada-based Cooke “vehemently” denied the claims, stating, “Cooke is in full...

ASMFC Halts New Lobster Gauge Requirement Amid Market Concerns

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) voted to delay an increase to the minimum catchable size of lobster in the Gulf of Maine for six months.

The move was made on October 21 by the ASMFC’s American Lobster Board at the commission’s meeting in Annapolis, Maryland. The new gauge requirements were set to begin in January, but now with the delay, it will take place in July 2025.

The Portland Press Herald noted that individuals opposed to the move argued that it would give Canadian lobstermen an unfair market...

Over $2 Million Heading to Train Next Generation of Fishermen and Women in Maine

A Maine delegation announced that a pair of commercial fishing organizations in the state have been awarded a combined $2,067,434 in grant funding aimed at supporting the training and workforce development for the next generation of Maine fishermen and women.

The grants were awarded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Young Fishermen's Development Program, per an announcement from U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden.

The funding is allocated as follows...

Commerce Department Agrees to Reassess Maine Sea Grant Funding

US Senator Susan Collins announced that the Department of Commerce agreed to renegotiate funding for Maine Sea Grant.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, following a push from Collins, said that NOAA will renegotiate the terms and conditions of the work to be performed by Maine Sea Grant to "ensure that it focuses on advancing Maine’s coastal economies, working waterfronts and sustainable fisheries.”

“I appreciate the Secretary’s willingness to work together to ensure that Maine Sea Grant can continue to conduct research, support a robust pipeline of skilled labor, and ensure that our...

Carl Wilson Tapped to Helm Maine Department of Marine Resources, State Senate Hearing Ahead

Maine Governor Janet Mills named Carl Wilson, highly regarded fisheries scientist at the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) for the last 26 years, to serve as the department's next commissioner.  Yesterday’s announcement followed a February 18 announcement that Patrick Keliher, Maine’s longest serving commissioner of Maine’s DMR, will be retiring March 14, as Expana reported.

First joining DMR in 1999 as the agency's lead lobster biologist, Wilson has served since 2015 as Director of DMR's Bureau of Marine Science. The Bureau oversees...

Lobster Size Rule Reversed: Industry Concerns Prompt ASMFC to Repeal Gauge Increase

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) repealed a controversial proposal to increase the minimum catch size limits for lobsters in the Gulf of Maine.

The ASMFC said its decision stems from “fervent industry concerns about the potential economic impacts” of the increased minimum gauge size in the Gulf of Maine and possible trade issues with Canada.

The rule was set to go into effect on July 1, 2025.

“Rolling back resiliency measures is not at all what I wanted to have happened. After multiple zone...

Volunteer Divers Recover Body from Sunken Scallop Boat Off Maine Coast

On Sunday morning, February 2, 2025, a team of volunteer divers recovered a body from inside the cabin of the fishing vessel Sudden Impact off the coast of Maine.

The body is believed to be either Chester “Chet” Barrett or his son Aaron Barrett, who went missing on January 18, when the two commercial scallop fishermen from South Addison failed to return home from a fishing trip earlier in the day.

The recovered body was transported to the medical examiner’s office for formal identification. A second body was not...

Browne Trading Company Welcomes Three New Partners to Drive Growth & Sustainability

Portland, Maine-based Browne Trading Company announced an organizational shakeup, including the formation of 260 commercial investments via three new investment partners.

The company explained that the new partnership will enhance its capacity to grow its distribution network and improve its sustainability goals.

Rod Browne Mitchell, the company’s founder and CEO, will continue to handle day-to-day operations. Ed Chiles, who brings 45 years of experience into the fold, recently sold his three waterfront restaurants in Florida. He is the first of the three new investment partners...

Maine DMR Withdraws Proposed Lobster Size Increase Amid Industry Concerns

The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) has withdrawn a rule that would increase the minimum catch size limits for lobsters.

The decision by DMR Commissioner Patrick Keliher was made on January 9 and garnered praise from the industry. The Portland Press Herald also reported that Keliher said the DMR would consult lobstermen about any future conservation proposals regarding the state’s staple fishery.

The rule, developed by the Atlantic Staes Marine Fisheries Commission, was called Addendum 27 (XXVII). It would increase the minimum size of gauges fishers use to measure...

Maine Delegation Announces More Than $1.9 Million for Lobster Research in Maine

Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden, are announcing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Sea Grant Office’s decision to award seven Maine projects with $1,941,692 in funding for the American Lobster Research Program. The grant program supports projects that address critical knowledge gaps about American lobster and its fishery in a dynamic and changing environment.

“Maine’s lobstermen and women have long demonstrated their commitment to maintaining and protecting a sustainable fishery in the Gulf of..."

Maine Rep. Questions Proposed Cuts to Atlantic Herring Quota

Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) questioned the methodology behind the recent move to reduce the Atlantic herring fishery quota by almost 90% in a letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC).

The fishery mainly supplies the bait used in Maine’s lobster fishery.

“Once again, Maine fishermen find themselves on the verge of economic ruin due to federal regulations based on incomplete and inadequate data. In my conversations with fishermen, it has always been clear that their top...

Lobsters on the Move: UMaine Study Uncovers Major Habitat Shifts and Population Decline

Island Institute Kickstarts Initiative to Support Maine’s Lobster Industry

The Island Institute received a $1.4 million award from the Small Business Administration to support Maine’s vital lobster industry and the communities that rely on it.

The Institute noted that the Congressionally Directed Spending request was led by Maine Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and would lead to the creation of the ‘Future of Fishing,’ “described as a collaborative effort designed to expand economic opportunities for Maine’s coastal communities.”

“This funding is not just an investment in the lobster industry, it is an investment in the communities that have...