The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Lobster Board has voted to delay a gauge size increase known as Addendum 27 until 1 July 2025, drawing limited praise from the U.S. lobster industry.
“We thank the commission for delaying the proposed rule change after consulting with lobstermen and their onshore partners,” New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association COO Dustin Delano said in a statement. “We hope today’s vote is a first step toward withdrawing Addendum 27 altogether.”
Regulators have been pressured to increase lobster gauge sizes since 2017, after trawl surveys revealed a decline in the population of small, sub-legal lobsters. While the measure was temporarily put on hold as the industry grappled with the problem of protecting North Atlantic right whales, the process began again in 2021. In October 2023, the Lobster Board was told that the number of sub-legal lobsters found in surveys and ventless traps had declined by 39 percent, automatically triggering Addendum 27. The addendum would increase the minimum gauge size from 3.25 inches to 3.3125 inches.
American lobstermen have strongly opposed the new rule, arguing that it would harm an already struggling industry.
“Sadly, our iconic industry is retracting,” Delano said. “Any change to the minimum allowable catch size will expedite our decline. Our small businesses are not viable unless we can harvest and sell our most popular products. Our businesses cumulatively employ thousands of New Englanders, account for billions in economic activity, and support a shrinking tax base in coastal areas. Maritime communities oppose any change to the minimum catch size because our region cannot sustain it.”
While the addendum was supposed to go into effect 1 June 2024, the Lobster Board voted in 2023 to delay implementation to 1 January 2024. On 22 October, the board voted to further delay implementation until 1 July 2025.
The Maine Lobstermen’s Association expressed support for the Lobster Board’s vote, while also calling for neighboring Canadian lobstermen to be held to the same size requirements as U.S. lobstermen. The association notes that its Canadian competition would have an advantage if they could continue harvesting smaller lobsters that U.S. fishermen would be forced to throw back under Addendum 27.
“The MLA remains opposed to a gauge increase but is nevertheless satisfied with ASMFC's vote today to delay the increase until July 2025," the association said in a statement on social media. “We are hopeful that this will provide more time to address unintended consequences of an increase, specifically the fact that unless Canada also changes its gauge size, Canadian lobstermen will still be able to catch smaller lobster. The delay also ensures that Maine lobster dealers have full access to lobster from Canada during May and June. The MLA supports the ban of importing Canadian lobster under the US minimum size because it would have a significant negative impact on the boat price for Maine lobster.”
The Lobster Board cites Canadian competition as one of the main reasons to delay Amendment 27, noting the postponement allows “Canada more time to consider implementing complementary management measures.”
“In June 2024, U.S. and Canadian lobster fishery managers and industry members met to discuss the management structures and stock assessments of the two countries,” the board said in a statement. “Based on these discussions, the board determined that postponing implementation for an additional six months would allow further consideration of complementary measures by Canada, as well as offset potential impacts to the lobster industry that imports smaller lobster in the early part of the year.”
