Saving Seafood

New England lobster populations fall amid overfishing

November 4, 2025 — Overfishing of American lobster is occurring in New England’s most productive fishing areas off the coasts of Maine and Massachusetts, contributing to a 34 percent population drop since the last assessment in 2020, regulators found in a new report.

The findings, released Thursday by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, will not result in an immediate change of lobster management, officials said. But they point to a broader concern around the viability of New England lobster, which are declining at an ever-faster rate across their traditional cold-water habitat.

Maine, which produces 93 percent of the nation’s lobster, saw a record-low harvest of 86 million pounds in 2024, according to state data, down 35 percent from 2016 when fishermen hauled in a record 132 million pounds of lobster. Massachusetts has seen comparable drops, while lobster harvests in southern New England have seen the steepest declines.

Read the full article at E&E News

UMassD-SMAST partners with New Bedford Port Authority to study the effects of wind energy areas on commercial fishing operations

November 3, 2025 — The UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science & Technology (SMAST) is partnering with the New Bedford Port Authority on a project titled “Tracking and Modeling the Behavior and Position of Fishing Vessels and Their Towed Gears in Wind Energy Areas.” The project is funded by a $419,462 grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC).

The study will examine how commercial fishing vessels and gear operate within and around offshore wind energy areas to better understand potential impacts and identify ways to support safe, sustainable coexistence between the fishing and wind industries.

SMAST was selected as a key partner for its longstanding reputation in collaborative fisheries research and its strong connections to the commercial fishing community as well as its leadership in studying the impacts of wind farms on fisheries. Together, SMAST and the NBPA will combine practical experience and scientific analysis to help shape offshore wind development that supports both economic growth and ocean sustainability.

Read the full article at UMass Dartmouth

Lobster populations off New England coast are declining, report shows

October 31, 2025 — Lobster populations off the coast of New England have dropped 34 percent since 2018, according to a new report from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

The findings are raising fresh questions about the long-term outlook for Maine’s lobster industry.

Off the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank, the commission said the current population is at 201 million lobsters, which is below the target of 229 million but still comfortably above the “depleted” threshold of 143 million. That means the stock is not considered depleted, but the decline is notable.

“The number of lobsters in the population has gone down since the last assessment,” said Caitlin Starks, senior coordinator for the commission’s Fishery Management Plan. “Overfishing is occurring, but just barely.”

Read the full article at News Center Maine

Lobster Population Falls off New England, Leading Regulators to Declare Overfishing

October 31, 2025 — A new report says America’s lobsters, which have been in decline since 2018, are now being overfished off New England.

The stock has declined by 34% since that year in its most important fishing grounds, the regulatory Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission said Thursday. The commission said it now considers overfishing of the species to be occurring, and that could bring new management measures that restrict fishermen from catching them in the future.

But the lobster population has shown “rapid declines in abundance in recent years,” the commission said in a statement.

The assessment said the decline and overfishing were taking place in fishing areas off Maine and Massachusetts where most lobster fishing takes place. The assessment also considered the southern New England lobster stock, which it said has been depleted for years and remains so.

Read the full article at U.S. News

Herring count shows more work needed to boost population

October 30, 2025 — Twenty years ago, Massachusetts banned harvesting river herring in an attempt to protect alewife and blueback herring.

Last year the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission released a stock assessment that determined herring populations are stable throughout the coast, including Massachusetts.

Mike Palmer coordinates an annual spring herring count for the Association to Preserve Cape Cod. He said we need to be doing more to help the population rebound.

Palmer said the spring 2025 count showed below-average returns on the Cape. Since then, continuing drought conditions have been tough on river herring that require sufficient river flows to return to the ocean in the fall.

Read the full article at CAI

MASSACHUSETTS: New Bedford State Pier businesses to be displaced. Repairs could take up to 4 years.

October 28, 2025 — The state will close State Pier’s south wharf and most of the east wharf within weeks for significant repairs that will cause the displacement of virtually all water-dependent businesses. Repairs could take up to four years.

However, MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal said the agency is working on short-term options with Seastreak Ferries and Cuttyhunk Ferry to be able to maintain some level of operations from the pier.

There is a space that’s safe and it’s hoped they can be supported from there, Bal said. Seastreak is currently closed for the season.

Why is the pier closure happening?

Bal said an engineering review of the pier found that the south wharf and most of the east wharf required significant repairs or replacement, necessitating the closure within weeks.

She noted that the north wharf has been closed since 2019 because of needed repairs, and MassDevelopment will be soliciting reconstruction bids for it in the near future.

Read the full article at the Standard-Times

MASSACHUSETTS: Tarr, Ferrante Secure Passage of Legislation Strengthening the Gloucester Fisheries Commission

October 27, 2025 — The following was released by the Office of State Senator Bruce E. Tarr:

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R–Gloucester) and Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D–Gloucester) have secured the passage of S.2566, An Act further regulating the Gloucester Fisheries Commission reaffirming the City of Gloucester’s long-standing commitment to its historic fishing industry. Tarr and Ferrante filed the bill as a joint home rule petition, S.2507, An Act establishing the Gloucester Fisheries Commission, at the request of Gloucester’s Mayor Greg Verga and City Council, which approved the request unanimously. Enacted by the House and Senate on Monday, October 6, 2025, it was officially signed into law by Governor Maura Healey on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

 
Established 69 years ago under Chapter 260 of the Acts of 1956, the Gloucester Fisheries Commission (the Commission) has served as a vital advisory body for nearly seven decades—investigating, advocating for, and recommending measures to promote, preserve, and protect the Gloucester Fishing Industry. As the Commission approaches its 70th anniversary in 2026, this legislation updates its structure and governance to ensure continued effectiveness in an ever-changing economic, regulatory, and environmental context. 
 
“Since its inception, Gloucester’s commercial fishing industry has provided an unsurpassed protein resource, supported fishing families, and written chapters in American history,” said Tarr. “Now, as the port works to lead with innovation that builds sustainability and environmental stewardship along with prosperity, it needs the forum the commission provides for stakeholders to exchange ideas and build the fisheries policy of the future.” 
 
This legislation formally establishes the Commission as a public body tasked with investigating, advocating for, and recommending measures to promote, preserve, and protect the Gloucester Fishing Industry. It also amends Chapter 260 of the Acts of 1956, defining the commission’s status, official seal, and sponsorship by the City of Gloucester. 
 
“For nearly 70 years, the Commission has been central to protecting Gloucester’s maritime heritage, and these updates will help it continue that work with renewed purpose and clarity,” added Tarr. 
“As the daughter of a fisherman, I know firsthand how deeply the fishing industry has shaped Gloucester’s families, economy, and identity,” said Ferrante. “By updating the Fisheries Commission, we are giving it the ability to adapt to the challenges that didn’t exist when it was established in 1956.”

“Gloucester’s Fisheries Commission plays a vital role in preserving, promoting, and protecting our fishing industry, which remains a cornerstone of our community and economy,” said Gloucester Mayor Greg Verga. “When it became clear that the original legislation was creating challenges for the Commission, I worked with our team to propose a home rule petition to modernize outdated provisions, ensuring the Commission can more effectively meet quorum requirements and continue its important work. I’m grateful to Senator Tarr and Representative Ferrante for filing this legislation on our behalf and remain committed to supporting Gloucester’s fishing industry, especially during these challenging and uncertain times.” 

 
Verga worked with his team towards a legislative solution after the Commission expressed challenges around the current language of the law. After partnering on a solution, Verga and Gloucester General Counsel Suzanne Eagan presented a memorandum for consideration to the Gloucester City Council’s special meeting held by the Ordinance & Administration Committee on January 21, 2025. 
 
Egan stated that “the motion before the council was meant to amend the home rule petition that currently existed that had created the Fisheries Commission.” and that “the Fisheries Commission is currently having difficulty meeting a quorum, and reducing the number of committee members from 13 to 7 – two alternative members would allow the Fisheries Commission to properly conduct business.” 
 
After Egan’s statement, the Ordinances & Administration Committee voted 3 in favor, 0 opposed, to recommend that the City Council vote to authorize the mayor to petition the General Court for a special act substantially. Gloucester City Council approved the home rule petition at the January 28, 2025 City Council meeting by a roll call vote (8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent) to authorize the mayor to petition the Massachusetts Legislature which Tarr and Ferrante jointly filed on behalf of the city. 
 
A home rule petition in Massachusetts is a legislative tool that allows a city or town to request special authority from the state legislature to address matters that are normally governed by state law, essentially giving a local government the ability to create laws or make changes that would otherwise require statewide approval. 
 
“I want to thank Senator Bruce Tarr and Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante for their leadership in advancing this important Home Rule legislation for Gloucester,” said Gloucester City Council President and Councilor-at-Large Tony Gross. 
 
“The language of the original legislation that created the Fisheries Commission was long overdue for modernization. As the fishing industry continues to evolve and adapt to remain viable, these updates will strengthen the framework that supports Gloucester’s working waterfront and ensure that our fishing community remains a vital part of the city’s future.” 
 
Highlights of S.2566, An Act further regulating the Gloucester Fisheries Commission 
 

·         Defining the Commission’s structure: 

o    Composed of a seven-member board 

o    One member is the mayor or the mayor’s designee 

o    Six additional members are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council 

o    Appointed members serve staggered three-year terms 

o    All board members (including alternates) must be residents with knowledge of the fishing industry

·         Defining the role of the mayor relative to the Commission: 

o    The mayor is authorized to appoint an Executive Director 

o    The mayor also determines the Executive Director’s compensation 

 
About the Gloucester Fisheries Commission 
 
The mission of the City of Gloucester Fisheries Commission is to investigate, advocate, and recommend measures for the promotion, preservation, and protection of the Gloucester Fishing Industry. 
 
“I would like to thank Senator Tarr, Representative Ferrante, and the entire Legislature for their efforts in passing important updates to the Gloucester Fisheries Commission, said Al Cottone, the Executive Director of the Commission. “Their support and commitment to strengthening our local fisheries are greatly appreciated.” 
 
The Gloucester Fisheries Commission meets in person on the third Thursday of each month, with meeting notices and locations posted 48 hours in advance on the City of Gloucester’s Public Meeting Notices page. Meetings are typically held at City Hall in the first floor Conference Room, but location subject to change based on meeting space availability. Recordings of previous virtual meetings are available under Past Remote Public Meetings on the city’s website. 
 
The Commission “welcomes public participation and input as it continues its work to sustain and strengthen the fishing industry that defines Gloucester’s identity as America’s oldest seaport.” 
 
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Latest right whale population estimate is “positive news” for critically endangered species, researchers say

October 21, 2025 — Researchers say they see “positive news” in the latest population estimate for North Atlantic right whales, but stress that conservation measures are still needed to save the critically endangered species from extinction.

The North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium, which is meeting in New Bedford, Massachusetts this week, says the population estimate for 2024 is 384, an increase of 2.1% from the previous year. The past four years have shown a trend of “slow growth,” the New England Aquarium said.

“It’s always a great feeling when we can share positive news about this critically endangered species,” said consortium chair Heather Pettis, who leads the right whale research program at the aquarium.

There have not been any reported right whale deaths this year and there have been fewer injuries detected than in years past, which Pettis said “leaves us cautiously optimistic about the future of North Atlantic right whales.”

Read the full story at CBS News

MASSACHUSETTS: Mayor of New Bedford urges NOAA to approve proposal allowing scallop permit stacking

October 20, 2025 — The mayor of the city of New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S.A., is calling on NOAA Fisheries to allow full-time scallop vessels to stack two permits on one vessel.

Mayor Jon Mitchell, in a letter sent to NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, called on the agency to allow for permit stacking in order to help protect the industry. Mitchell’s letter said he has reconsidered his position on the matter, as the scallop fishery continues to face limited days at sea.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource