Fisheries
Fisheries are an incredibly important issue for Maine. From fighting to ensure our fishermen have access to working waterfronts to supporting the scientific research and stock assessments necessary to ensure the accurate setting of quotas, I am working in Maine and DC to make our fisheries and coastal communities more sustainable.
Pushing for shellfish disaster funding
Maine shellfishermen were hit hard by Red Tide, and relief has come too slow to help them recover. I'm pushing the Secretary of Commerce to give them the support they need.
How sectors are working for Maine
While I continue to closely watch its effect on the livelihoods of fishermen, early reports of increased catches shows that the system might be a good fit for Maine.
Studying herring stocks
Herring is an important fishery, especially as a bait used by Maine lobstermen. But we need more information on the health of the stocks for better management. Here's more about an exciting project to pay lobstermen to do that work.
Fighting undue burdens on tuna fishermen
Maine fishermen have been following the rules when it comes to managing tuna stocks, but foreign practices and overregulation are threatening their livelihoods. Learn more.
Matinicus Rock CMAN Station
Maine fishermen need accurate weather updates in order to determine whether it is safe to go out and I am very pleased that NOAA was able to restore the CMAN station to operations.
Offshore wind
I support deepwater, offshore wind and I am following the debate closely and at every opportunity, trying to make sure Maine fishermen and fishing communities have a say in the siting process of offshore wind turbines. The development of this industry holds great promise for the state and needs to be done in a way that involves fishermen.
More on Fisheries
A bill introduced by Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin to ease federal inspection of several species of seafood, including urchins exported from Maine, passed the U.S. House today.
Tells Secretary of State, U.S. Trade Representative and head of NOAA that import ban isn't warranted
Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin will testify at a hearing of the House Natural Resources Committee tomorrow in support of a bill that would exempt sea urchins and sea cucumbers from federal inspection when they are imported to or exported from the United States.
Yesterday, Reps. Bill Keating (MA-09) and Chellie Pingree (ME-01) engaged in a discussion with Rep. John Culberson (TX-07), Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, on the House floor. They talked about the importance of addressing the challenges facing the Northeast multispecies fishery sector management program with respect to observer coverage.