New Hampshire Rejects Minimum Lobster Size Guidelines, Joins Maine

New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte has announced that the state will not comply with new guidelines proposed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to increase the minimum size for lobsters harvested in the Gulf of Maine. Ayotte expressed concerns that these regulations would harm the local lobster industry, potentially decreasing catches by up to 30%. The guidelines, aimed at protecting juvenile lobster populations, have been met with skepticism by lobstermen who argue that the data does not reflect their daily experiences on the water. Maine has also rejected the new rules, with officials citing similar economic concerns. The proposed changes, which include increasing the minimum size of lobsters and requiring larger escape vents in traps, were intended to address a significant decline in juvenile lobsters observed in recent years. As such, both states are urging the ASMFC to reconsider these regulations to support their local fishing industries.