Maine Lobstering Union Members (IAM Local 207) Sue State Over Electronic Tracking Rule

Five members of the Maine Lobstering Union (IAM 207), have filed a legal challenge in United States District Court to new rules that require lobstermen with  federal lobster fishing permits to install electric tracking devices on their boats.
 

The five plaintiffs in lawsuit, which is supported by the Sustainable Maine Fishing Foundation, contend that surveillance of Maine’s federally licensed lobster fleet is "unconstitutional, unwarranted and unfair" to Maine lobstermen, who have "proven through the actions of generations of lobstering families that they are good stewards of the ocean ecosystems essential to their livelihoods. "

The plaintiffs include Frank Thompson, of Vinalhaven; Joel Strout, of Harrington, who is president of the Maine Lobstering Union; Jason Lord, of Pemaquid; Christopher Smith, of Jonesport; and Jack Cunningham, of Bar Harbor.

According to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the new tracking requirements are necessary to provide more detailed data on fishing patterns in federal waters to support a more accurate stock assessment and to help managers address challenges associated with protecting whales, emerging ocean uses and enforcement.

The Press Herald has a more detailed analysis of the issue here.