PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 20, 2022
Maine’s congressional delegation has added a provision to the government’s massive spending bill to try to protect Maine lobstermen from federal regulation they say could sink the state’s iconic industry. Environmental groups warn the provision would be a death sentence would for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. The legislation add-on, released publicly Tuesday, could essentially reverse a federal court decision this summer and bring the fishery back into compliance with environmental laws through 2028. Meanwhile, fishing officials and researchers would study potential new types of lobster gear less likely to entangle the whales, and try to learn more about them and how much they frequent Maine waters.