New regulations limiting the herring catch have Maine lobstermen concerned about where they will find bait for the 2010 season.
Zone D lobstermen, those fishing in waters between Cape Rosier and Pemaquid Point, met Oct. 8 to discuss an agenda that included the election of Zone Council officers and a review of a study on trap density. The existing slate of officers was reelected. Those officers are Michael Dawson of Bristol, chairman; Daniel Staples of Cushing, vice chairman; Kevin Glover, secretary; and Gerald Cushman of Port Clyde, Lobster Advisory Council representative. Wayne Canning of Belfast will continue to represent Zone D on the Zone C council and Ernest Wallace of Friendship was nominated to serve in that role at Zone E meetings.
Maine Lobstermen’s Association President David Cousens of South Thomaston reported on a recent recommendation by the Science and Statistical Committee of the New England Fishery Management Council to cut the acceptable biological catch for herring by 53 percent from the 2009 limit.