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Stonington officials join regional push to comment on NOAA whale‑rule changes that could affect lobster fishery
Summary
Town Manager Billings told Selectmen she had submitted comments to NOAA and was coordinating with neighboring towns and the Maine Lobstermen's Association to oppose parts of a proposed rule and a 10‑year plan that town leaders fear would remove end lines and harm the inshore lobster fishery; comment deadlines were cited in late February and early March.
Town Manager Billings told the Selectmen that she had submitted comments to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on a proposed rule and an associated 10‑year plan aimed at reducing end lines, a change town leaders and local lobstermen fear would negatively affect the inshore lobster fishery.
TM Billings said she was coordinating with neighboring towns, the Maine Lobstermen’s Association and the congressional delegation to share information and amplify concerns. She told the board the biological opinion (BiOp) comment period closed Feb. 24 and the 10‑year plan comment period closed March 1, and noted there is litigation already in play surrounding previous federal actions in the region.
Billings said the town is not hopeful that rule language will be fully modified but will continue regional cooperation and outreach to press for consideration of inshore impacts and local economic effects. The board asked staff to continue monitoring the rulemaking timeline and to report back.
Next steps: TM Billings will continue coordination with regional towns and industry groups and provide updates to the board as federal timelines and legal developments evolve.
