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Town Manager urges coordinated comments on NOAA whale rule, warns of fishing impacts
Summary
Town Manager Billings told Selectmen she is coordinating with neighboring towns on comments to NOAA over a proposed 10‑year plan to remove end lines; BiOp comments were noted as due Feb. 24 and the 10‑year plan comment period as March 1 in the minutes.
Town Manager Billings alerted the Selectmen to a proposed NOAA rule and a separate 10-year plan that could require removal of end lines and significantly affect lobster and inshore fishing. She said she was coordinating with Vinalhaven, North Haven and regional stakeholders and working with the congressional delegation and the Maine Lobstermen's Association on comments.
Why it matters: Changes to federal whale-protection rules that affect gear could have material economic and social impacts on inshore fishing communities that rely on end lines for lobster harvesting.
What the town record shows TM Billings described the Biological Opinion (BiOp) comment deadline of Feb. 24 and the 10-year plan comment deadline of March 1 and said the town expected to submit coordinated comments with neighboring towns. She said litigation in federal court has complicated the process and that the outcome is uncertain.
Local coordination and next steps Billings said she was working with other town managers and the Maine Lobstermen's Association and planned to distribute guidance and links so board members could submit or share comments. The minutes record no Selectmen vote to adopt a formal town comment but show TM outreach and planning.
Context The minutes place the issue in a regional context: nearby island towns are similarly concerned about the economic implications for lobstermen and associated businesses. The Selectmen were kept informed so they could consider whether to take formal municipal positions in subsequent meetings.
