The Department of Marine Resources will hold a public hearing on Chapter 34 Groundfish - Halibut measures on March 3, 2025 at 4:00 pm in DMR’s Conference Room 118, Marquardt Building, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta ME, and remotely via Microsoft Teams. 

Based on recent observations from the Department of Marine Resources' right whale monitoring vessel, our arial survey, and from fishermen observations, the number of endangered North Atlantic right whales seen recently off the 

As I am sure you know, I have publicly stated that Maine will not initiate an increase of the lobster gauge this summer.  Based on the overwhelming comments from industry, and with the support of the Governor, I informed the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC) Lobster Management Board of Maine’s position.

Jonesport, Maine – Due to weather, the demonstration and informal discussion for area fishermen and the public focusing on the use of alternative lobster fishing gear scheduled for Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 1-5 pm in Jonesport will instead be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 from 1-5 pm.

Pursuant to 38 M.R.S. §480-D, sub-§9, the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) is required to provide the Maine Department of Environmental Protection with an assessment of the impacts on the fishing industry of proposed dredging operations. The town of Brooksville is proposing to dredge around the town pier in Betsy Cove in order to provide all-tide public access, reliable emergency access, and improved navigation for commercial industry. The proposed dredging will remove approximately 14,000 cubic yards of sand/silt material.

Today the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s American Lobster Board passed a motion that I put forward that begins a process to repeal all gauge and vent size changes included in addendum XXVII of the Lobster Fishery Management Plan.

Augusta - The Office of Chief Medical Examiner has positively identified the body recovered Sunday from the sunken fishing vessel Sudden Impact as Chester Barrett of South Addison. Chester's body was recovered after a search that began Saturday, January 18th when he and his son Aaron were reported missing. The two had been transiting from Edmunds to South Addison on board the Sudden Impact when it sank in 160 feet of water about three-quarters of a mile southwest of Moose River in eastern Washington County. 

Trescott, Maine – On Sunday February 2, 2025, at approximately 7:00 a.m. a team of highly-skilled volunteer divers located and recovered a body from inside the cabin of the fishing vessel Sudden Impact.

The recovered body has been transported to the medical examiner’s office for formal identification.

The Maine Marine Patrol along with local fishermen and the Maine State Police/Marine Patrol Underwater Recovery Dive Team have been working to recover the body since it was first located on January 23rd inside the vessel.