MOUNT DESERT ISLAND, Maine — Maine regulators are implementing an emergency change to fishing rules off of Mount Desert Island to prevent gear conflict between herring fishermen and lobstermen.
The state Department of Marine Resources says the emergency rule creates a temporary exception to the department's three lobster trap trawl limit. The rule went into effect on Sept. 12. Officials say the exception will apply to an area northeast of Mount Desert Rock where there is a high density of lobster gear.
The lobster trap trawl standard limits the number of traps on a single line, which is called a trawl. Herring fishermen will be following herring migration in the area in the coming weeks. Marine Patrol Colonel Joseph Fessenden says the longer trawls will help minimize the possibility of gear loss.