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Stonington raises concerns about NOAA whale-rule proposal and potential impact on lobster fishery
Summary
Town Manager Billings said Stonington is coordinating with neighboring towns to comment on NOAA’s proposed 10-year plan to remove end lines, warning it could affect the inshore lobster fishery; federal comment deadlines were noted by the TM.
Town Manager Billings told the Selectmen that she was "deeply concerned" about a proposed NOAA 10‑year plan that would reduce or remove end lines and could affect the inshore lobster fishery.
Billings said she circulated materials from the Maine Lobstermen’s Association and coordinated with neighboring town managers in Vinalhaven and North Haven to prepare comments. She told the board that the Biological Opinion (BiOp) comment period closed Feb. 24 and that the 10‑year plan comment deadline was March 1, and that the town would continue working with regional partners and the congressional delegation to share resources and coordinate responses.
The Selectmen recorded support for regional coordination and asked the Town Manager to continue outreach to Maine Coastal Fisheries groups and municipal counterparts.
No formal municipal petition or ordinance-change request was recorded in the meeting minutes; the board’s action at these meetings was limited to outreach and preparing comments within the federal rulemaking schedule.
