Fishermen sue to end industry-funded monitoring program
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A group of fishing companies in New England is bringing its bid to try to end industry-funded monitoring programs to federal appeals court. The companies are part of the industry that harvests Atlantic herring, which are heavily fished off the East Coast. The federal government requires herring fishing boats to participate in, and pay for, at-sea monitoring programs. The government and some environmental groups have said the industry-funded monitoring programs are vitally important to collect data that help craft fishing rules. But members of the industry have argued the monitors cost hundreds of dollars a day
SCALLOP FISHING-MAINE
Productive Maine scalloping grounds might close for year
DENNYSVILLE, Maine (AP) — Maine ocean regulators might close the state’s most productive scallop fishing grounds for the year. The state is home to a winter scallop fishing industry that takes place in nearshore waters. The most fertile scalloping grounds in the state are in Cobscook Bay in rural Down East Maine. The Maine Department of Maine Resources said recently the area is showing signs of pressure from the scallop harvest and will be evaluated for closure this week. It’s common for the state to shut down scalloping grounds to prevent overfishing.
ELECTION WORKERS-THREATS
Bill to make interfering with election workers a crime OK’d
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A legislative committee has approved a bill that would make interfering with an election worker a crime. The Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee voted unanimously Monday for the bill sponsored by Rep. Bruce White, of Waterville, but the amended proposal reduced the crime to a misdemeanor instead of a Class C felony. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said it’s paramount to protect elections from interference or subversion “through election worker intimidation or outside political interference.”
RIGHT WHALES-LOBSTER GEAR
Maine governor, delegation want whale protections delayed
PORTLAND Maine (AP) — Maine’s governor and congressional delegation are calling on the federal government to push back new fishing rules designed to protect whales so fishermen can comply with them. New lobster fishing rules require fishermen to start using weakened rope or special inserts to weaken existing rope beginning in May in some waters. That’s to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and the four members of the delegation said Monday the federal government should push the conversion deadline from May 1 to July 1.
FIREFIGHTER BENEFITS
Plan approved to extend mental health support to responders
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A Maine legislative committee has signed off on a proposal to try to help emergency responders better access mental health support. A bill before the Maine Legislature states the proposal establishes a presumption that firefighters, emergency medical technicians, police officers, emergency dispatchers and others who are diagnosed as having post-traumatic stress disorder have the condition because of “extraordinary and unusual work stress.” The Legislature’s Labor and Housing Committee unanimously approved the proposal on Monday.