By Patrick Whittle, The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Maine — Maine regulators are considering intervening to help fix a bait shortage that threatens to affect its signature business, the lobster-fishing industry.
Lobstermen typically use herring for bait, and regulators and members of the fishing industry say there’s a shortage of them.
The Maine Department of Marine Resources is meeting Tuesday afternoon to discuss what role it can play. A spokeswoman tells The Associated Press that it anticipates passing rules based on Tuesday’s discussion.
Members of the fishing industry say the problem is that not enough herring are being caught on Georges Bank, a key fishing area off Massachusetts. The lack of bait is a problem for lobstering in all the New England states.