In a major victory for Maine’s lobster industry, a federal appeals court today has ordered the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to go back to the drawing board and re-work the most recent federal regulation to protect endangered North Atlantic Right Whales.

Hampden – The Maine Marine Patrol has recovered the body of 42-year-old Christopher Henry of Bangor from the Penobscot River, downriver of the I-395 bridge in Hampden. Marine Patrol along with Bangor and Brewer Police, the Maine Forest Service, and the Maine Underwater Recovery Team has been searching for Mr. Henry since June 8^th when he was witnessed jumping from the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge.

The scoping session has been cancelled, but will be rescheduled. Notice of the rescheduled session will be processed in accordance with applicable regulation. 

The applicants listed below have scheduled a scoping session on two draft standard lease proposals.

The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) is administering a direct payment program to offset costs incurred by lobster harvesters in making gear modifications necessary to comply with the federal regulations aimed at providing additional protections to the North Atlantic Right Whale that became effective May 1, 2022. 

Below are links to forms for state lobster harvester license holders and federal lobster harvester permit holders to complete in order to either appeal a decision of ineligibility by DMR or to opt out of a direct payment.

Saco - In response to numerous reports of striped bass that died after being caught and released on the Saco River, the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) will close a section of the river between Route 9 and the head of tide, commonly known as the Cataract Dam, to fishing.