Maine Lobster Limited Entry and Apprentice Program

Some of the links below are PDF files, and may require Adobe Acrobat or the free Adobe Reader (download here) to view or print. If you need help with PDF files, visit http://www.maine.gov/portal/help/adobe_support.html. If you need an alternate format, please contact Melissa Macaluso

• Eligibility criteria for Maine students who want to start lobstering (effective April 5, 2016)
• Lobster limited entry brochure, August 2017- pdf file, 2 pages
• Apprentice program brochure, August 2017- pdf file, 2 pages
• Apprentice log sheet - pdf file, 24 kb or
  Apprentice log sheet - MS Excel file, 39 kb - requires software than can open a MS Excel file
• Log sheet submission deadline info (within 30 days of 250th hour) - pdf file, 32 kb
• Zone Waiting Lists - last updated July 12, 2021
• Zone A - pdf file, 65kb
• Zone B - pdf file, 62kb
• Zone C - pdf file, 56kb
• Zone D - pdf file, 63kb
• Zone E - pdf file, 58kb
• Zone F - pdf file, 62kb
• Zone G - pdf file, 62kb

Maine Lobster Island Limited Entry Program

Effective September 12, 2009, a law was enacted to protect the long-term viability of island lobster fishing communities. This law allows year-round island communities to petition the Commissioner for the establishment of an island limited entry program in order to maintain a number of lobster licenses appropriate for the needs of their island community and the local lobster resource.

Zone B - Cranberry Islands

There is a newly established island limited entry program for the Cranberry Islands. This new program requires the Department to establish a new island license waiting list for the Cranberry Islands, separate from the waiting list for Zone B. If you are interested in obtaining a Zone B lobster license by becoming a resident of the Cranberry Islands, please complete the Cranberry Island limited entry form found on this webpage. Your name will be placed on the waiting list based upon the date we receive the Island Lobster License Declaration Form.

Zone B Island Lobster License Declaration Form, PDF file, 68 kb

Zone F – Cliff Island and Chebeague Island

There is also a newly established island limited entry program for two Casco Bay islands. This new program requires the Department to establish new island license waiting lists for Chebeague Island and for Cliff Island, separate from the waiting list for Zone F. If you are interested in obtaining a Zone F lobster license by becoming a resident of either Cliff Island or Chebeague Island, please complete the Cliff Island or Chebeague Island limited entry form found on this webpage. Your name will be placed on the relevant waiting list based upon the date we receive the Island Lobster License Declaration Form.

Zone F Island Lobster License Declaration Form, PDF file, 68 kb

For more information, please contact Sarah Cotnoir at 624-6596 or via e-mail.