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As a Bass Harbor resident who fishes out of Portland, I know firsthand the pressure our groundfish fleet faces. Recently, we were on the brink of a premature and unnecessary shutdown. Regulations to increase the haddock allowable catch by 50% were supposed to be implemented last May, but due to bureaucratic delays, those crucial fish remained off-limits.
Despite months of assurances from NOAA Fisheries, the rule stalled somewhere in D.C. With the fleet nearing its catch limit, we faced an existential threat to our businesses.
The response from Sen. Susan Collins’ office was nothing short of remarkable. We reached out to her staff on a Tuesday morning; by Wednesday afternoon, the rule was published and our season was saved.
I want to publicly thank Collins and her team for their unwavering commitment to Maine’s maritime heritage. While her swift action may have provided immediate relief, a significant backlog of other regulations still threatens the stability of our groundfish and scallop fleets. We are fortunate to have a steadfast champion in Washington who understands that when Maine fishermen are in a bind, every hour counts.
John Mitchell
Bass Harbor
