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Stonington coordinates with island towns to respond to NOAA whale-rule plan affecting lobster fishing
Summary
Town Manager Billings said Stonington is coordinating with neighboring island towns and the Maine Lobstermen's Association to submit comments opposing elements of NOAA’s proposed 10-year plan to reduce end lines, citing economic and social impacts on the inshore lobster fishery. The town stressed imminent comment deadlines and ongoing legal context.
Town Manager Billings told the selectmen she was coordinating with Vinalhaven, North Haven and the Maine Lobstermen's Association to oppose aspects of a NOAA proposal that would reduce vertical end lines over a 10-year period, a change local officials fear would disrupt the inshore lobster fishery.
TM Billings said she had reviewed materials and was "deeply concerned" about the potential impacts on the local fishing economy and community. She briefed the board on imminent federal comment deadlines: Biological Opinion (BiOp) comments were due Feb. 24 and the ten-year plan comment period closed March 1 (dates as recorded by TM). Billings described outreach to other towns and to the congressional delegation and noted litigation timelines tied to prior judicial rulings.
Selectmen agreed to monitor regional coordination with the Maine Lobstermen's Association and other island managers and to keep the board informed of any recommended municipal submissions. TM said she would continue to share informational materials and links for residents and stakeholders to submit comments.
Next steps: TM will continue regional coordination and circulate materials; selectmen will consider further municipal action as information and regional strategy develop.
