May 2016 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 11. D.E.L.A. Director's Report


From the Director – Here’s the big question that we are all


asking, “Will there be an early shed this year?”


Only Mother Nature can answer that


question for sure. With another mild winter this year, everyone is hoping that we don’t repeat the disaster of 2012, which resulted in too many lobsters too early in the season and not enough demand for them at the time. Remember? At least this time, we learned from the


experience and will be a little better pre- pared, just in case. The boats haven’t really been “hitting


the water” just yet, but everyone is working like busy bees getting the boats ready. It is always a busy time of the year, but with good promise for another productive fi shing season. We’ve starting getting calls from “awayers” that are planning on coming to Maine to buy their lobsters “right from the boat.” I’ve been told that most lobstermen are like “rock stars” to the tourists that come here to experience the total lobstering expe- rience. So get ready! There has been a lot of mis-interpreta-


tion concerning our students and the waiting list.


The LD 1503 bill has been amended,


passed and goes as follows: Law Change Af- fects Eligibility Criteria for Maine Students Who Want to Start Lobstering. A recent law change has made it easier for Maine students who have their sights set on a career in lob- stering to get started. LD 1503, signed into law by Governor Paul R. LePage on April 5, has extended the age by which young Main- ers have to fulfi ll requirements necessary to bypass the waiting lists of Maine’s six limited entry lobster management zones. Previously, student license holders had to


fulfi ll requirements of the Apprentice Pro- gram and any apprentice rules adopted by the management zone of their choice before they reached 18 to avoid being placed on a waiting list for a commercial license. The Apprentice Program requires the comple- tion of 1,000 fi shing hours over a minimum of 200 days stretched out over a minimum of two years. “Previously, the only way for a young person to avoid the waiting list is to begin the apprenticeship program by the age of 15,” said Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher. “Kids who have to focus so much time and eff ort on this program often forego other important pursuits like sports or ex- tra-curricular activities in order to get their apprentice time in.” The new law provides two additional


options for young aspiring lobstermen. One option will allow individuals to bypass the waiting list in a declared zone if they have met the Apprentice Program requirements, received a high school or equivalency diplo- ma, and met additional apprentice program rules of the zone in which they want to fi sh before the age of 20. The other option will extend the eligible


age for bypassing a wait list to under the age of 23. This option requires the license holder to have begun fi shing in the Appren- tice Program before the age of 18 and have completed it before the age of 23. Addition- ally, license holders must have been eligible for a student license since before they were 18, they must be enrolled at least half time at an accredited post-secondary institution, and have met additional apprentice program rules of the zone in which they want to fi sh. “This new law change will provide


more opportunity for young aspiring lobster harvesters to develop personally and profes-


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sionally as they pursue a career in Maine’s lobster industry,” said Commissioner Ke- liher. “This will not only provide a more reasonable timeframe for young people to get into the fi shery, it will benefi t the in- dustry as entrants will bring a well-rounded perspective into the profession.” Individuals who believe they have


fulfi lled the new requirements and are inter- ested in applying for a commercial license are directed by the Department of Marine Resources to visit their website at www. maine.gov/dmr for detailed instructions on the application process. D.E.L.A. has worked diligently with the D.M.R. on LD 1503 or better known as the Lobster License bill. We have worked for many years on making our license system fair for everyone involved. We worked as a team with our directors and carefully made suggestions for this bill that would make it easier to come up with a workable solution. We all need to pay attention and work


together to the best of our ability for the fu- ture of our industry. “ We can’t do it without your help. Thank you!” Zone C has had quorum problems for


the past two meetings, so perhaps this ex- planation will help. We certainly want to help answer any questions and clarify the wording of the amendment that has been signed into place by Governor LePage. Speaking of the Zones, the MLA has


arranged workshops on how to best keep lobsters healthy led by Canadian lobster health expert Dr. Jean Levallee. With the


help of the R.E.D. Board and the Island In- stitute, we (DELA, SMLA & DMR) off ered to help distribute the information and spread the word. Jean will be speaking at each of the Zones this week. We hope that you have an opportunity


to go to your Zone meeting and hear what Jean has to say about lobster health. The LD 1653 – Increase of Pay for Law


Enforcement was supported by DELA, as well as an overwhelming show of support from the entire marine industry. I just re- ceived word from Colonel Jon Cornish of the Bureau of Marine Patrol telling me that the bill was change to LD 1523 and combined with another bill. It passed both the House and Senate. Governor LePage is signing the bill today. He will be sending out a more detailed message once the bill is signed. He also thanked us for our help and support. Good news! Our next scheduled D.E.L.A. meeting 6:00 p.m. at Jasper’s


is Thursday, May 12th


Restaurant in Ellsworth. All are welcome to attend. If you are interested in membership, you are also welcome! We’d love to have you “Come Aboard!” See you around, Sheila


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