Bait bill raises concerns from lobster fishermen
2/20/09 | 14 comments
Fishing

Bait bill raises concerns from lobster fishermen


By Bill Trotter
BDN Staff

AUGUSTA, Maine — A legislative bill that would ban dragging for bait fish within two miles of shore has raised concerns among some commercial lobster fishing groups about how it might affect the availability of herring.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Linda Valentino of Saco, said Thursday that the bill likely will face some revisions when a legislative committee holds a public hearing on it early next week. The Legislature’s joint marine resources committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on the bill, LD 378, and other proposals at 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23, in Room 214 of the Cross Building at the State House complex.

Valentino said she submitted the bill at the request of a constituent who is a recreational fisherman and who was worried that fishing trawlers were scooping up too many other fish. She declined to say who the constituent is but said he is expected to attend Monday’s public hearing.

Valentino said she has heard from others who have concerns about the proposal, which she acknowledged is broad as it is now written.

“Maybe we can narrow it down a little bit,” she said. “I'm [planning on] getting up to speed on the bill myself this weekend.”

Valentino said some of the people who have contacted her are lobstermen who are concerned such a ban could further restrict the amount of herring available to their industry. Herring, which lobstermen use to bait their traps, has increased in price significantly in recent years and has decreased in supply as regulators have put more restrictions on the herring fishery.

In Maine, where lobster fishing gear can be found in abundance along much of the coast, the boats that fish for herring along the coast tend to be smaller purse seiners, which set nets in a relatively small area at the water’s surface. Larger trawlers, which suspend their nets lower in the water column, tend to fish farther from shore than in the area that would be affected by the bill.

Last September, regulators limited purse-seine herring boats to four days of fishing in the inner Gulf of Maine, which caused some fishermen to worry whether Maine's lobster industry would have enough bait for its traditionally busy fall season.

Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, said Friday that the group is concerned about the bill. Herring and pogies caught in Maine’s territorial waters, which extend three miles out from shore, are essential to making sure the lobster industry has enough bait, McCarron said.

“The importance of that bait cannot be understated,” McCarron said. “We need the bait fish. End of story.”

McCarron said MLA plans to testify against the bill at Monday’s public hearing.

Mike Dassatt, secretary-treasurer of the Down East Lobstermen’s Association, said the group has not taken a formal position on the bill but that many lobstermen likely would not oppose a ban on dragging. But if the bill is meant to ban purse seining, he said, “now we got a problem. We need the seining operation.”

Dassatt said group members had been sent e-mails about the bill and likely would reply to association officials over the weekend. He said many members likely will want to know more about the intent of the bill before they make up their minds about it.

“I can see a couple of issues here that need to be clarified,” Dassatt said.

The marine resources committee also is expected to hold public hearings Monday on bills that would address urchin license fees, the enforcement of aquaculture leases, and the ability of fishermen to sell shellfish directly to retailers.

Not registered? Click here
E-mail this
Print this
Guidelines for posting on bangordailynews.com

Bangordailynews.com is pleased to offer a forum for readers to react to our stories, discuss them and provide additional information. We are reluctant to delete comments, but do reserve that right for those who abuse our forum. For more on using this site, please see our terms of service.

The primary rule here is pretty simple: Treat others with the same respect you'd want for yourself. What does that mean specifically? Here are some guidelines (see more):

Comments
14 comments on this item
On 2/21/09 at 8:42 AM, Genethemainer wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

This is a joke, right? ONE person can complain about possible decline in recreational fishing and she is more than willing to put a another nail in the coffin of lobstermen and it's obvious she didn't do much research about the affect it would have on the floundering fishery that is essential to most coastal communities in Maine. Many jobs in the state are directly related to all fishing boats in Maine.

Report abuse
On 2/21/09 at 8:54 AM, kylie00 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

well, recreational fishermen should have their right look after too.

Report abuse
On 2/21/09 at 9:45 AM, dontdodo wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Lobester is not good for you anyway it causes cancer and lung problems.

Report abuse
On 2/21/09 at 9:50 AM, sonoco wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

You've got to be kidding!!! Recreational fishing vs. lobstering for a living...there shouldn't even be any debate here!! Lobster fishermen count on this bait to provide for their families and their overall survival. There are so many other restrictions being placed on the lobstermen (trap limits, rope replacement because of right whales, herring boat limits on the amount of days they can fish....) that to pass a bill such as this for the recreational fisherman (who probably already has another job and doesn't worry about the fact that where he is fishing is the "workplace" for hundreds of lobstermen) is just crazy. Leave the lobstermen alone and just let them go to work everyday and do their jobs, even if it is in the same water that the recreational fisherman likes to play.

Report abuse
On 2/21/09 at 10:49 AM, NorthwoodsMainiac wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

dontdodo - "Lobester is not good for you anyway it causes cancer and lung problems. You can't even SPELL lobster....what planet are you living on.

sonoco....kinda hit the nail right on the head.

No one's recreation takes priority over another persons career. We do need to ensure none of our natural resources are destroyed.....but fun is fun...feeding your family is as close to home as it gets.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Linda Valentino of Saco, said “Maybe we can narrow it down a little bit,” she said. “I'm [planning on] getting up to speed on the bill myself this weekend.”

She's going to GET UP TO SPEED ON THE BILL THIS WEEKEND???????? She authored the bill!!!!! Wouldn't the time to GET UP TO SPEED be after the complaint of HER FRIEND. Maybe talk a fisheries biololgist or two.....some people that do the type of fishing proposed for a ban.......at least know what to hell your talking about BEFORE you author a BILL.

This is crap is what makes our state government seem foolish.

While we're at it....why don't we get Linda involved in spending some of our Obama Money. I'm sure she's spend most of it...then decide she should get up to speed on where the money is going!!!!!

I'm so glad I live 250 miles north of Saco.....

Report abuse
On 2/21/09 at 12:04 PM, Adelaide wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Another fine example of the IDIOTS that we have running this state.....we're doomed.

Report abuse
On 2/21/09 at 3:57 PM, LoisGM wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Some of our State Representatives will sign any bill, without even reading it. It's been proven time and time again, when they are questioned and they know nothing about what is in the bill. Anyone can get a bill submitted, and it costs $thousands$ of dollars (taxpayers) for it to go through committee. I know a guy who has submitted numerous bills over and over again (all failing) and says he will continue until he is successful. This guy has caused the taxpayers probably $100,000. Seriously!

Report abuse
On 2/21/09 at 7:02 PM, cm1113 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

They have bigger fish to fry in Augusta. No pun intended.

Report abuse
On 2/22/09 at 5:29 PM, dontdodo wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Lobester you cantget heree froma theree,Lobester is a bottom feader feeder,what does that tell you?Loberster eats crap,you eat Lobestra You eat crap= cancer=organ cancer=eat Lobester=Dumb

l

Report abuse
On 2/22/09 at 5:37 PM, ravenh2001 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

sonoco its not your water it is everyones!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you want to sell lobsters raise them!!! what happened to the deer market , the buffilo market people killed more then the herds could maintain. Fishing on the maine coast is doing the same thing. salmon farms have figured this out. when will other fisherman stop drooling and do the same. Dont take our resorse and call it your own. grow your own bait just like the farmers have to start there own tomatoesl. crybabyes

Report abuse
On 2/23/09 at 4:54 AM, clamchowdah wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

deer market? buffalo market? raise lobsters? grow your own bait? HUH????

Report abuse
On 2/23/09 at 8:47 AM, eastman wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Don't dodo and ravenh2001's stupidity is showing.or are they just trying to start a arguement.?

Report abuse
On 2/23/09 at 9:11 AM, spbean wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The lobster fishing industy is getting slammed from every direction! As far as being careful with ocean resources goes, the Maine loster industry has many self-imposed regulations. ie. size limits, trap limits, Sunday fishing only part of the year, etc. It also takes years to get a lobster license. I am proud to be part of a lobster fishing family!

Last year was very difficult for lobstermen. The price of lobster dropped so low, fuel was high as was bait. There were plenty of days out that loster men barely made a profit, if any. I don't see this year as being alot different. Because of our nation's economy, demand for lobsters is low. I HOPE the Maine Legislators will do their homework and realize this proposed herring fishing limit is foolish!

Report abuse
On 2/23/09 at 4:40 PM, bendover wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

What is a buffilo?And is a lobester the same thing as a lobestra?They sound alot like lobster must be related some how.Hope some of that obama money goes to the schools.Seems like we need a little help.

Report abuse
You must be logged in to post a comment. click here to log in.

Powered by: Creative Circle Advertising Solutions, Inc.