Lobstermen concerned about catch size limits shared their concerns about the new regulations in Augusta Thursday.
The new rules would change the minimum size of a lobster harvested by fractions of an inch, which lobstermen say is enough to spell trouble for their business.
The state says recent findings show the number of smaller lobsters is dwindling, and it’s important to let them grow and thrive for another year to support the future population.
“We know that the Gulf of Maine is warming faster than most of the ocean bodies on the planet. So climate change is one factor we’re trying to address,” Jeff Nichols of the Department of Marine Resources said.
He went on to say that by leaving the smaller lobsters on the bottom of the ocean floor, they can contribute to future populations, which then protects the existing population from a changing climate.
The rule is set to go into effect on July 1.