More than 200 people are waiting in the wings for a lobstering license, which has long been a ticket to the middle class for working Mainers. I love my jobnowbut I miss at least half of everything that goes on at home. That would instantly add more than 50 new fishermen to the industry during an era of high catches and strong prices, but also concern about warming oceans and new fishing restrictions designed to protect whales. If your vessel does not have a current or active federal permit - you will be issued non federal tags. Gray grew up lobstering with his father and had a license as a young man before deciding to try his hand at truck driving. He declined to take a personal stance on the issue until after the meeting. Some of the links below are PDF files, and may require Adobe Acrobat or the free Adobe Reader (download here) to view or print. But for the most part, lobstermen dont feel a pressing need to change the system, he said. The Maine Department of Marine Department is asking anyone on a lobster license waiting list to contact them. All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WHDH-TV. It urged the state to allow zone councils to relax entry-to-exit ratios and to change the way they calculate the number of traps retired when a lobsterman gives up his license. Gov. Classmates in Rockland who had known enough to get student lobster licenses fished straight out of high school, butKvorjakcouldnt, so he enrolled at Maine Maritime Academy. All Rights Reserved. The proposal is up for a hearing on Tuesday before the Committee on Marine Resources. The issue of apprentice waits has come up before. BEVER: And the waiting list for a lobster license is years long, which is why Portland schoolteacher Halima Noor pushed Cris and other students to say yes when Luke's offered boat time,. He testified with his 3-year-old son, Levi, by his side. STERNMAN SCOTT BEEDE returns an undersized lobster while checking traps. Maine Lobster Fishing License and Trap Tag Counts The MS-Excel file below requires MS Excel or the free MS Excel Viewer (download here) to view or print. He had once held a lobsterlicense, butgave it up when he went to school. Lobster tags take 4 to 6 weeks - please plan accordingly. You cant legislate to let everyone do what they want to do, he said. Lobsterman Jim Buxton climbs up from a dock where after checking on the bilge pump on his lobster fishing boat during frigid temperatures, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, in Portland, Maine. News. Another, proposed by McDonald, would exempt children age 12 and under from being counted as crew members on a captains license. These licenses are not easy to come by. Lobstering is a limited-entry fishery, and there is a long waiting list to get a license. Another, proposed by McDonald, would exempt children age 12 and under from being counted as crew members on a captains license. The idea was if somebodys been on the list that long, it would be nice to offer them an alternative, McCreight said. The Maine Department of Marine Department is asking anyone on a lobster license waiting list to contact them. He wont weigh in on the bill until he sees it, but if the newcomers were to settle in one or two harbors, all hell would break loose, Taylor said. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. In most of the state, the system is set up so that one license is issued for every 4,000 lobster traps that are put into retirement. The Maine Lobstermens Association has yet to take a formal position on the proposal, and is meeting on the issue on Monday evening, said the groups president, Kristan Porter a Cutler lobsterman. Lobster license changes up for debate in Maine State House Another member of the marine resources committee, Democratic Rep. Genevieve McDonald, said concern over possible changes in lobster fishing rules make it difficult to let new fishermen onto the water. If the system is changed, some fear it could result in a lower trap limit now at 800 traps per lobsterman for most of the state that could hurt their profits even more. When he lost hissternman, Masterson filled in. Comments are not available on this story. To be issued federal halibit tag, you must have a current and active federal northeast multi-species permit on the vessel listed on your tag application. She still dreams of getting that license, and the freedom that comes with being her own boss. Learn more. At this rate, my 9-year-old daughter, Eden, will be able to fish and sell her lobsters before I will.. Online Applications | Paper Applications | Landings Reports | Lobster Tags and Conservation Areas | Halibut Tags | Urchin Licenses | Elver Dealers, Online License Applications (LEEDS): https://maine-dmr-leeds-prod.pegacloud.com/. The bills presenter, Democratic Rep. Joyce McCreight of Harpswell, said the proposal is designed to help fishermen who have been the victim of a waiting list system that doesnt often budge. Approved and Prohibited Freshwater Species, Lobster Fishing License and Trap Tag Counts, Maine Lobster Research, Education, and Development Board, Maine Lobster Limited Entry and Apprentice Program, Eligibility Criteria for Maine Students Who Want to Start Lobstering, Lobster and Other Trap/Pot Gear Modification Requirements, River Herring (Alewives and Blueback Herring), Maine DMR Online Licensing System Frequently Asked Questions, Maine Diver and Dive Tender License Safety Training Requirements, On-Line Harvester Catch & Landings Reporting, Maine Harvester Landing Reporting Form Examples, Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry (license), Tuna, Shark, and Other Large Species Information, Tips for Catch and Release of Striped Bass, Maine Saltwater Recreational Fishing Opportunities to Participate, Maine Saltwater Sport Fishing Tournaments for 2022, Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) Summary, Shellfish Closures and Aquaculture Leases Map, Maine Shellfish Dealer Certification and Inspection, Municipal Shellfish Conservation Warden Information, Phytoplankton Monitoring Form and Guides for Volunteers, Water Quality Monitoring Forms and Protocols, Maine Shellfish Dealer Sanitation and HACCP Guidelines Manual and Forms, Salmon Restoration and Conservation Program (ASRCP), "Experimental" (Limited Purpose) Lease Applications and Forms, Limited-Purpose Aquaculture (LPA) License Applications and Forms, Public Participation in Aquaculture Leasing, Atlantic Halibut Research Tags and Rewards, Maine - New Hampshire Inshore Trawl Survey, Data Dashboard, Reports, and Publications, Maine Coastal Program's Mapping Initiative, MCMI - Current Projects and Program Highlights, Habitat Restoration and Tools (Maine Stream Habitat Viewer), Job, Internship, and Volunteer Opportunities, https://maine-dmr-leeds-prod.pegacloud.com/, Business and Economic Development Resources. By The Associated Press PORTLAND . Every lobster trap across Maine need to have a biodegradable panel of escape and escape vents. PDF State of Maine Department of Marine Resources 21 State House Station It will be your responsibility to obtain the appropriate tag, as outlined below. Getting into Maine's lobster industry takes time. If you are renewing your lobster license with the same vessel as last year, and there has been a change on that vessel, your tags will be ordered exactly as they were the year before. 7 Bulfinch Place As directed by a bill passed in the state legislature this spring, the Maine Department of Marine Resources is in the process of contacting all individuals who are currently on the lobster license waiting . Great Jones Cookware Review: Is It Worth Buying? Fishermen are already burdened by low prices for their catches they averaged $3.19 per pound last year, essentially the same price they got in 2001 and high prices they have to pay for fuel, bait and gear. Elver Dealers MUST obtain their license on or before February 1st. Based on state records, 55 of the 248 people currently sitting on one of the seven regional waitlists would fall into that category. But thats just a side gig. But it could have far-reaching effects.. Lobstering Zones in Maine. It would also encourage zones to determine their exit-to-entry ratio differently. Until we know the outcome of these discussions it is very difficult to pass legislation that would increase lobster fishing effort, McDonald said. The bill also raises the age for young lobstermen to automatically get a license when they finish an apprenticeship. The poll ended up 53-47 percent in favor of McCreights bill, with 949 total votes cast before Tuell closed the poll. //]]> He thinks the fishery is already too crowded, especially with fishermen from neighboring fishing zones able to fish up to half their 800 traps in local waters. But a proposal before a state legislative committee would bring new people into the fishery who have been waiting for 10 or more years. More than 200 people are waiting in the wings for a lobstering license, which has long been a ticket to the middle class for working coastal Mainers. For more information on the Island Limited Entry Program and participating islands please see the Department of Marine Resources Regulations and scroll down to Chapter 25. See Offers. But a proposal before a state legislative. Long waits prompt Maine lobster licensing review - Yahoo News Critics of the existing system say its unfair that people who once held licenses and then left the industry for one reason or another are now barred from getting new licenses without going through the apprentice program and being put on a long waiting list. 8. Jay McCreight, D-Harpswell, has proposed a bill that would give licenses to anyone who has been on the list for a decade or more. Boston, MA 02114 If you do not get ANY tags in 2020, you will only be eligible for 100 tags in 2021. Current license holders generally feel that there are already enough lobstermen and traps and that adding to those numbers will put too much pressure on the lobster population. Here in the Maine Department of Marine Resources' (DMR) Lobster Management Zone B, though, a strict limited entry system has resulted in a very long waiting list for new commercial lobster licenses. Paul LePage signed the bill into law this spring.The bill also raises the age for young lobstermen to automatically get a license when they finish an apprenticeship. As part of a law passed earlier this year, the department must check with anyone on the list and get an updated address. Tell Hank: (855) 247-HANK. In some cases, people are on the waiting list to get a license for decades. It will also address some contentious subject areas, such as whether lobster licenses or the tags fishermen get for their traps can be transferred through sales to other people. I was so excited about the future, Masterson recalled. Nowadays, he works as a sternman on his fathers boat, with his 79-yearold father who has a license merely coming along for the ride to make things legal. That exemption rubs apprentices like Masterson the wrong way. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. State Trooper's Cruiser. Thats never a real nice feeling.. Still, the analysis could result in changes, he said, depending on what the recommendations are and how legislators respond. I am concerned about people in this industry being able to make money. The proposal is among a suite of changes proposed to the lobster licensing system in Maine. Some Maine lobster license changes approved - National Fisherman In most zones, that means long waits before the apprentice can start hauling his or her own traps. But students who complete their apprenticeship before they turn 20, or 23 if they are in college, can bypass the list altogether. High school student Caleb Hardie said its difficult to complete the required 1,000 hours in the training program before the age of 18, while balancing school and community activities. The former social worker says those late bloomers shouldnt be effectively locked out of the fishery. If you are obtaining your license online through LEEDS, you MUST print off your license, as we do not print online licenses. PORTLAND, Maine (AP) There are few things in Maine as coveted as a lobster fishing license, and a proposal to bring dozens of people off the state's license waiting list has fishermen in the . The state Department of Marine Resources agrees that the waiting list for lobster licenses in most fishing zones along the coast is too long and, if possible, something should be done to reduce the time it takes to get a license. Horner, Mastersons longtime business partner and former stepfather, advocates for a measured approach. Please use our online licensing system, LEEDS at https://maine-dmr-leeds-prod.pegacloud.com/, for the fastest processing of your license and/or tag application. And my father should be able to retire.. Not everybody can do what they want to do.. Ten years later, he returned to fishing, only to find a long waiting list. Yes, there are trap limits. More than 200 people are waiting in the wings for a lobstering license, which has long been a ticket to the middle class for working coastal Mainers. I knew Id have to wait, but I thought it would be a couple years. She got her real estatelicense, andrents out a handful of vacation properties she has bought up over the years. In 2016, the Maine Legislature passed LD 1503, a law requiring the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) to contact individuals currently on Limited Entry Zone Lobster License Waiting Lists, to determine if they wish to remain on the list, or if they wish to be removed. She still works for Horner, even though he and her mom are no longer together. As chairman of the local lobster zone council, Horner has voted to ease local entry requirements facing wait-listers, butdoes not want to speed it up too much. Maine fishermen are by far the biggest producers of lobster in the U.S., and the state in the midst of a multi-year boom in lobster catch. But she acknowledged that there is opposition to the idea, and shes expecting a lively hearing. By his calculations he'll be nearly 80 years old or. And my father should be able to retire.. But she acknowledged that there is opposition to the idea, and shes expecting a lively hearing. Im 49 years old and should be able to haul my own traps. A person who is on a waiting list for a class I, II or III lobster and crab fishing license for a limited-entry zone shall be removed from that list following a suspension for a violation of a marine resources law and shall be reinstated at the bottom of the waiting list following notification to the Department of eligibility for a license upon Currently, Keliher said the ratios are determined by the number of traps a lobsterman holds in the final year of his or her license. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. The bills presenter, Democratic Rep. Joyce McCreight of Harpswell, said the proposal is designed to help fishermen who have been the victim of a waiting list system that doesnt often budge. In 2018, four wait-listers inKvorjakszone got licenses. Getting a jump start on a lobstering career with the Maine student Fishermen have caught more than 100 million pounds of the crustaceans for the last seven years after never previously reaching that mark in the states history. Would-be lobstermen must wait years for Maine license All rights reserved, 31 Pounds of Fentanyl Seized After Being Shipped to Maine Restaurant, 2 Teens Charged in Unprovoked' Attack on Woman at South Boston MBTA Station, Cheers' Bar, Tonight Show' Set, Star Trek' Costumes Among TV History at Auction, Vermont Woman Charged With DUI in Crash That Killed Her 11-Year-Old Son, 2 Teens Arrested After Allegedly Stealing Rifle From Mass. More than 200 people are waiting in the wings for a lobstering license, which has long been a ticket to the middle class for working coastal Mainers. They started documenting everything as soon as they learned of therequirements, butdidnt have enough logged time in to complete the program until he was a few months past 18. How Do You Get A Commercial Fishing License In Maine We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. That is the youngest age students in Maine can get a lobster license. The posts, which were shared among online state lobstering groups, generated hundreds of comments. Maine aims to reduce lobster license wait | National Fisherman Were all supposed to have a chance at it, but plain and simple, not everybody can be a lobsterman. Fishermen opposed the recommendations. To limit the number of lobsters being caught, the first thing the state does is regulate the number of fishermen in the state. Its frustrating for all the people on the lists, Beede said. A Day in the Life of a Maine Lobsterman - Business Insider Six of Maine's seven lobster zones have a waiting list for new entrants. Fishermen have caught more than 100 million pounds of the crustaceans for the last seven years after never previously reaching that mark in the states history. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. The new study hopes to make sense of it all, addressing the strengths and shortcomings of the existing system and developing recommendations to improve it. The 2017 total of slightly less than 111 million pounds was the lowest since 2011, but it was still more than twice the 2003 haul. Tags are ordered the next day after your license is processed. LOBSTER BOATS SIT at their moorings at dawn at Pretty Marsh Harbor in Mount Desert. You can share 5 more gift articles this month. Another member of the marine resources committee, Democratic Rep. Genevieve McDonald, said concern over possible changes in lobster fishing rules make it difficult to let new fishermen onto the water. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Section 188-25-96 - Lobster Apprentice Program, 13-188-25 Me - Casetext At the time, neither realized he would need to log his workdays and hours before turning 18 to get a student license. If you owe reports your license will not be available to renew. THE TIMES RECORD would welcome the opportunity to conduct a questionand answer article with a Mid-coast lobsterman. Entering and exiting the lobster fishery Canadian and U.S Kvorjakunderstands the overcrowding concerns. Scott Beede is one of 302 people on the waiting list for a Maine lobster license. Several students also testified, pleading with lawmakers to ease the rules for the apprenticeship program. The 2017 total of slightly less than 111 million pounds was the lowest since 2011, but it was still more than twice the 2003 haul. Maine Lobster Fishing License and Trap Tag Counts | Department of Under the permit section on your license it should say EEZ (federal) or NON. Lobster licenses now cost fishermen $167 to $501 per year, with trap tags selling for 50 cents each. In some cases, people are on the waiting list to get a license for decades. May 28, 2012 at 5:43 PM PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- Scott Beede is one of 302 people on the waiting list for a Maine lobster license. McDonald, a lobsterwoman from Stonington, said a particular problem is that the industry is faced with potential management changes to reduce interactions with the endangered North Atlantic right whale. Instead, Cousens said it could let too many people into the industry. More than 200 people are waiting in the wings for a lobstering license, which has long been a ticket to the middle class for working Mainers. Holly Masterson got her start in the lobster industry when she was 15, when her stepfather, David Horner, hired her to stock and clean up his boat at night. There are few things in Maine as coveted as a lobster fishing license, and a proposal to bring dozens of people off the state's license waiting list has fishermen in the state ready for a fight. PDF files below requires Adobe Acrobat or the free Adobe Reader (download here) to view or print. Maine Lobster Limited Entry and Apprentice Program Hes cautious about speeding up the licensing process because he says the fishery is already too crowded. That would allow them to participate aboard the boat, which some in the fishery say has long been standard practice anyway. By his calculations he'll be nearly 80 years old or dead by the time his wait is over. There are few things in Maine as coveted as a lobster fishing license, and a proposal to bring dozens of people off the states license waiting list has fishermen in the state ready for a debate. When they finish, they put their names on a waiting list for a license. The Commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources says keeping . Applicants wait years, and at times even decades. If your license does not show the correct designation, please contact us immediately so that we can make sure we order your tags correctly. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. [CDATA[ Little did I know.. Please follow these steps to ensure you are obtaining the correct tag type (FEDERAL or NON-FEDERAL). . Another, proposed by McDonald, would exempt children age 12 and under from being counted as crew members on a captains license. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"c1zG27wHNai5dMWqstawCfdcKbFoTNjrhMZ6GfCWxc8-1800-0"}; The number of tags you purchased in 2020 can only increase by 100 in 2021 until you reach your eligibility limit, zone limit or boat limit.