Saving Seafood

House passes bill extending right whale regulatory pause

September 2, 2026 — The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 9436, legislation that would extend the current pause on new North Atlantic right whale regulations affecting the lobster and Jonah crab fisheries through 2035.

The Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act of 2026 passed the House on Sept. 1 by a 219-196 vote. The bill would extend the existing regulatory pause from its current expiration at the end of 2028 to Dec. 31, 2035.

The legislation has drawn support from Northeast commercial fishing organizations, which argue additional time is needed for ongoing research and technology development to inform future whale regulations. Conservation groups, meanwhile, say the extension would delay measures they believe are necessary to reduce the risk of serious injury and mortality to the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale.

The New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA), which urged lawmakers to pass the measure ahead of the House vote, welcomed its passage.

“The New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association strongly supports passage of H.R. 9436,” Jason Joyce, NEFSA’s director of advocacy, said in a statement provided to National Fisherman.

Read the full article at National Fisherman

NEFSA names Bonnie Brady policy director, Jason Joyce advocacy lead

February 4, 2026 — The New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA) has announced two new leadership appointments aimed at strengthening its policy and advocacy work on behalf of fishermen and coastal communities.

Bonnie Brady has been named NEFSA’s new policy director, while Capt. Jason Joyce will serve as director of advocacy. According to NEFSA, both appointments bring decades of hands-on industry experience and advocacy leadership at a time when fishermen are navigating complex regulatory, environmental, and offshore wind development challenges.

Read the full article at National Fisherman

New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association welcomes new policy and advocacy leaders

January 20, 2026 — The New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA) has announced the appointment of Jason Joyce as Director of Advocacy, and Bonnie Brady as Policy Director, two key leadership roles that will strengthen NEFSA’s efforts to support fishermen and coastal communities, according to NEFSA, in a news release.

“Bonnie and Jason bring decades of experience advocating for fishermen and the communities they serve,” said NEFSA. “Their leadership will be instrumental in shaping NEFSA’s approach to critical issues facing the fishing industry – from sustainable practices and regulations to the impacts of offshore wind development – ensuring that the voices of fishermen remain at the center of any policy decisions.”

Read the full article at Penobscot Bay Pilot

BANGOR DAILY NEWS: Trump administration’s deal to eliminate EU lobster tariffs a good haul for Maine

September 8, 2020 — It’s a good bet that Maine lobstermen have a deeper and more immediate sense of how policies impact their day-to-day work than politicians or pundits. But what are we to make of that impact when the lobstermen themselves can’t seem to agree on it?

On Aug. 25, Swan’s Island lobsterman Jason Joyce spoke at the Republican National Convention and explained why he is voting for President Donald Trump this November, saying that Trump has “followed through on his promises” to the Maine lobster industry.

Joyce highlighted the recent announcement that the Trump administration has negotiated an agreement with the European Union to drop its 8 percent tariff on live U.S. lobster imports and upwards of 20 percent tariff on frozen products for the next 5 years, with the potential of zeroing the tariffs out permanently. Joyce called it “great news for Maine’s lobstermen and women,” and it is.

Read the full opinion piece at the Bangor Daily News

Consider the Lobster Tariffs: GOP Cheers Trump Move, But Some Mainers Skeptical

August 27, 2020 — It was a bit of good news in an uncertain year for Maine’s lobster industry.

On Friday, the White House and Maine congressional leaders announced the elimination of an 8% tariff on live and frozen lobster into the European Union, which they described as a move would level the playing field with Canadian lobster in that market.

President Donald Trump tweeted about the agreement on Tuesday, saying that “beautiful Maine lobsters will now move tariff-free to Europe,” naming Maine communities like Eastport, Cutler, Jonesport, Stonington, Friendship and Casco Bay as he said the deal will create jobs.

Later that night, the tariff’s elimination was touted on another national stage when Jason Joyce, a lobsterman from Swan’s Island, took the stage at the Republican National Convention.

Read the full story at NBC Boston