Maine Lobster Fishery

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Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP)

• Whale Rules - Gear Marking, Weak Rope, Trawl Lengths as of May 1, 2022
• Maine protected resources regulations — See Chapter 75

Commercial Lobster Fishing and Management

• Tracker Requirement and Instructions for Federal Permit Holders

• Maine Lobster Management

  • New Reporting Requirements for Commercial Lobster Harvesters
  • Lobster and Crab Bait Information
  • Lobster Fishing and Dealer License Applications and Renewals
  • Laws (see Part 9) and Regulations (see Chapter 25)
  • Maine Lobster Advisory Council and Zone councils
  • Lobster Management Zones and Area Maps
  • Limited Entry and Apprentice Program, Waiting Lists and Waiting List Verification
  • Summary of Numbers of Fishing Licenses and Trap Tags Issued
  • 2025 Legal Haul Times, PDF file, 1 page
  • LD 575 Summary (Lobster Law Enforcement, Violations & License Suspensions), June 2017, PDF file, 1 page

• Regional Lobster Management

  • Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission lobster page

• Federal Lobster Management

  • NOAA Fisheries lobster page

Lobster Research, Monitoring, and Assessment

• DMR's lobster research, monitoring, and assessment programs
• Lobster commercial landings data, 1880 to present
• Latest lobster stock assessment and peer review, c/o ASMFC (near bottom of page)

Recreational Lobster Fishing

• Fishing license applications and renewals
• DMR Guide to Lobstering in Maine (PDF file, 1 MB)

Other Maine Lobster Industry Organizations and Resources

• Atlantic Offshore Lobstermen's Association
• Downeast Lobstermen's Association
• eMOLT — Environmental monitors on lobster traps
• Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation
• Lobster Conservancy
• Maine Lobster Dealers' Association
• IAM Maine Lobstering Union
• Maine Lobstermen's Association
• Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative
• University of Maine, Lobster Institute