August 2018 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 11.


D. E. L. A. - F  D Commercial Fishing News


From the Director - Well, here we are, halfway through July


which means most of us are in the water now and starting to catch a few “new shell” lobsters. It seems that this season is shaping up like another traditional year. I want to wish everyone a successful and safe season. D.E.L.A. had a meeting in July this


year, with the Commissioner Pat Keliher and Sarah Cotnoir of the DMR as our guests. The meeting was held at Stonecutter’s Restaurant in Stonington, with a good crowd attending. I’d like to Thank Pat and Sarah for coming to our meeting. Pat said it was a good night for a boat ride, so they left from Rockland on the Protector and found it only took about 45 minutes to get to Stonington from Rockland. It really was a perfect eve- ning, beautiful on the island! Our topics for discussion were as


follows: Bait - Price and availability, CETA-Free Trade between Canada and EU and Increased pressure with Canadian LFA’s closing and Grey Zone. Of course, the Whales and the Rules are always a big subject.


For bait news, between bait and whales,


we have a “perfect storm.” This year, we have 55,000 metric tons in our quota. It was voted to keep the quota for this year the same as last year. More reductions are coming for next year as possible emergency measures. Menhaden (pogies) are a good alternative bait right now. There are actually planes up there spotting for menhaden schools to help with our bait supply. The CETA-free trade issue between


Canada and the European Union, the DMR doesn’t have direct connection with them. They went to Washington DC to represent the U.S. in their discussions. At this point, there is a 25% tariff on the U. S. lobsters. This is a serious issue, with the dealers not quite sure how to work with it at this point in time. The DMR composed and sent a letter


with concerns to Governor LePage, who in turn sent it to President Trump. This is a collaboration in an eff ort to help our U.S. lobster industry. D.E.L.A. also voted to compose a letter of concern to join the eff orts of the leaders in the industry. This letter will also be sent to our representatives and the President. They all need to know about all of the issues that our lobster industry is dealing with at this time. The fi nal meeting of the TRT (Take


Any idea who this is? He comes from Stonington.


Reduction Team) is scheduled for October of this year. Our TRT representative gave an updated report on the meetings that he has attended concerning the whale issues. He explained how we are really not ready for ropeless trap fi shing just yet. In an experi- ment with them, it took most of the day to haul and set fourteen traps. It is a long and complicated process. Stay tuned for further information. The R.E.D. Board (lobster license plates) have announced the approved fund-


Marine Insurance An employee-owned company serving Maine people and their boats since 1866. P. O. Box 88


Belfast, Maine 04915 – dassatt711@yahoo.com 2017 – “Working together”


Name: _____________________________________ Address: _________________________________ Town/city: __________________ Zip: ________


Offices in Rockland, Camden, Belfast, Southwest Harbor, Portland and Waterville.


AllenIF.com/marine (800)439-4311 OWNER, VESSEL, FLEET OR CREW


JOHANSON BOATWORKS Full Service Yacht Yard


Phone number:___________________E-mail address___________________ Type of membership:


( ) Lobsterman/stern man ($100) yearly


( ) Lobsterman – age 70 & over ($50) ( ) Student ($56) yearly ( ) Business associate ($113) yearly ( ) Avid supporter ($132) yearly ( ) Friend of DELA ($100)


( ) I wish to support DELA’s legal fund _____________


( ) I wish to support DELA’s Scholarship Fund____________ We also take Master Card and Visa


Card _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _- _ _ _ _- _ _ _ _ Expiration date _ _/_ _ Security code _ _ _


Card holder’s name (print) _______________________________________________ Card Holder’s signature___________________________________________________


Rockland, Maine • 207-596-7060 info@jboatworks.com • jboatworks.com


*Downeast Lobstermen’s Association is a qualified tax exempt organization under section 501 ( c ) (6) of the Internal Revenue Code


License no. ___________


ing for lobster research. I can honestly say, as I am on the Board that helps make these decisions, that the funds are not taken lightly. It is a long and very meticulous process that is led by a board that has representatives from each “leg” of our lobster industry. Carl Wilson and Dierdre Gilbert led the way, and did a fantastic job with their careful monitor- ing of the information and full explanations if we had any questions. I feel that the pro- cess went well and the funds are going to a good cause. I highly recommend purchasing the Maine Lobster License plate if you want to help support our Maine Lobster Industry. They are also a very good looking plate! I am proud to support the plates and display them on our vehicle. I’d like to Thank Marty Hamblen of


Hanover Insurance Agency, Mark Boehmer of Spencer Insurance and Mike Giles of Atlantic Insurance for hosting the booth at the Stonington Fishermen’s Day. We always share space with them and have a great time doing it. We see a lot of our members in person and have a chance to see family and friends. The Island Fishermen’s Wives always do a great job with this festivity. We have a few more celebrations that


we have been invited to and hope to see you out and about this summer. The Lobster Boat Races are in full swing in case you haven’t been to one yet. They are always a lot of fun! Jon Johansen does a great job keeping track of all of the races and writing up the full account of each race after it has


been held. That takes a lot of work and ded- ication! Thank you, Jon for all that you do. (personally, I don’t know how you keep up with all of it). Don’t forget, as time marches on, the


young fellas and gals are lobstering now, which means they might be interested in joining D.E.L.A. There is a sign up sheet in this issue of Maine Coastal News. We are open for new memberships and hope that you consider helping to support our lobster industry. It is our future that we need to keep strong. The more the numbers, the stronger the voice. It all helps to keep our industry going for the next generation. Think about it!


Hope to hear from you soon, Sheila WANTED


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