New whale rules take effect, but enforcement still to come
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — New lobster fishing rules intended to protect a rare species of whale are now in effect, but enforcement has yet to begin. The rules are designed to protect the North Atlantic right whale, which numbers less than 340 in the world and is vulnerable to lethal entanglement in fishing gear. The rules took effect Sunday and require lobstermen in some parts of the ocean to start using weakened rope or special inserts to weaken existing rope. However, the federal government has acknowledged fishermen’s complaints that supply chain issues have prevented many harvesters from acquiring the gear yet.
TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY-MAINE
Law giving tribes sports betting revenue is bittersweet
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine Gov. Janet Mills has signed a law giving control of mobile sports betting to Native American tribes in Maine. The bill signed Monday also cuts some taxes on tribal members and businesses. And it creates a framework for greater collaboration with the state. The Democratic governor called it the most significant tribal legislation in more than 40 years in Maine. But it was a bittersweet moment for the tribes because the bill falls short of the full sovereignty that they had sought.
ATLANTIC-SALMON-MAINE-DAMS
Maine dam owner to make changes to try to save salmon
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The owner of hydroelectric dams in Maine says it’s going to make changes to some of its operations to try to help save the final remaining wild Atlantic salmon in the United States. The country’s last wild populations of the fish are found in a few Maine rivers. Salmon counters found fewer of the fish on one of those rivers, the Penobscot, last year than in any year since 2016. Brookfield Renewable U.S. said Monday that it has begun shutdown procedures for dams on the lower Kennebec River to help the salmon migrate.
NEW YORK (AP) — The federal government has indicted a seafood distributor and eight of its employees and associates on charges of smuggling valuable eels. The company, American Eel Depot of Totowa, New Jersey, is the biggest importer and wholesale distributor of eel meat in the country. The Justice Department said on April 29 that the defendants in the case conspired to unlawfully smuggle large numbers of baby European eels out of Europe to a factory in China. The department said the eels were reared to maturity, slaughtered and processed for shipping to the U.S. for sale as sushi.
SUBMARINE VANDALIZED
Navy still mum about extent of vandalism on USS Texas
KITTERY, Maine (AP) — The Navy is still mum about the extent of vandalism aboard the USS Texas a month after the incident at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The Navy declined to provide details beyond a statement indicating “government equipment” was damaged around March 29 while the submarine was at the shipyard for maintenance. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to a suspect. A shipyard spokesperson said there was no additional information Monday. The NCIS also declined further comment. A shipyard spokesperson said there was no additional information Monday.
CAPITOL-RIOT-MAINE NATIVE
Maine native guilty after Capitol riot, another arrested
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A Maine native has pleaded guilty to a second charge related to his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Former Minot resident Mitch Simon told a judge on April 29 that he used a metal bicycle rack outside the Capitol to push police officers who were trying to control the crowd. The Sun Journal reports he admitted guilt to a charge of disorderly and disruptive conduct at the Capitol. Also Monday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested Maine resident Joshua Colgan on charges stemming from the Capitol riot.
VERSANT-METERS
Versant is installing more than 100,000 smart meters
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — Maine’s second-largest electric utility is replacing more than 100,000 electric meters at homes and small- to medium-sized businesses. Versant Power’s current meters are at the end of their service life, so Versant is using the opportunity to upgrade the tech to provide real-time data about electric usage and to help the company identify power outages. The meters utilize low-level radio frequencies, and some people have expressed health concerns. Like CMP, Versant will allow customers who are worried about the smart meters to opt out and use an analog meter for a fee.