PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 28, 2022
When Congress passed its most recent government spending bill, a provision authored by Maine’s congressional delegation brought a temporary reprieve to Maine’s iconic lobster industry, buying fishermen additional years before regulations aimed at protecting the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale will be implemented. The action has drawn exhalations of relief from fishing communities and howls of protest from environmental groups. But it represents is a resounding endorsement of the power of nonpartisan policymaking. I’ve worked closely with fishermen, scientists and environmental groups for nearly two decades. Regardless of where you stand in the seemingly eternal case of Whales v. Lobstermen, we should all be impressed with our home team’s collaborative effort. ~ Michael Conathan, senior policy fellow for ocean and climate with the Aspen Institute’s Energy & Environment Program