Governor Janet Mills said Sept. 18 that her administration submitted comments to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) on the pending Right Whale Rule. In an accompanying letter to NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Chris Oliver, Governor Mills said Maine supports the protection of the right whale, but emphasized that NOAA should take into account where the true risk to the species lies, emphasizing that data shows most recent right whale deaths have occurred in Canada.

Governor Mills also highlighted the importance of the lobster industry to the state and underscored its commitment to conservation, according to a news release from the Governor’s office.

“The Maine lobster fishery is the cornerstone of Maine’s coastal economy and an iconic part of the State’s identity. In many coastal communities, particularly in rural parts of the coast, almost every person and job is related to the lobster fishery,” wrote Governor Mills, in her letter. “Mainers take great pride in our lobster fishery for many reasons, not the least of which is its longstanding leadership in conservation. The commitment to responsible, sustainable harvesting practices in this fishery is known worldwide and include measures which have been in place to protect broodstock for over a century. […] In the last decade, there have been zero right whale serious injuries or mortalities linked to the Maine lobster fishery. However, even with this record, the lobster fishery is being asked to do more.”

In response to a proposed 60 percent risk reduction target assigned by NOAA in July, Governor Mills wrote a letter to Maine’s lobster industry, expressing support for them and calling the regulations “foolish, unsupported, and ill-advised”. In the letter, she directed Commissioner of Marine Resources Patrick Keliher to evaluate a different risk reduction target, one that is commensurate to any actual risk posed by the Maine lobster industry. 

“We want to protect the right whale, but to do it in the right way,” said Governor Mills, “one that considers the safety of Maine fishermen and the viability of our fishing economy.”

The Department of Marine Resources will share its findings with industry in the coming weeks prior to providing a draft plan to NOAA.

“Data is clear that Canada is responsible for the vast majority of recent deaths, with 8 right whale deaths occurring this year alone,” Governor Mills wrote. “This should not be a surprise. Studies show right whales are spending more time in the Gulf of St. Lawrence at a time when Canada has weakened its protection to right whales. The Maine lobster fishery and the Department of Maine Resources remain dedicated to strengthening protections to right whales, but we continue to stress that NOAA’s focus must take into account where the true risk lies.”

Lobstering provides direct employment for more than 4,800 Maine harvesters and supports over a billion dollars in indirect economic impact through the supply chain, including wholesale dealers, processors, gear suppliers, bait suppliers, and freight companies. The lobster industry is also a critical driver of Maine’s tourism economy, which is worth over $6 billion annually to the state. 

NOAA rulemaking is set to begin this coming winter, for implementation in 2021.

The full text of Governor Mills’ letter is below and the comments from the Department of Marine Resources are here.