AUGUSTA, Maine - A proposal to let dozens of people off Maine's lobster license waiting list is up for a public hearing in the state's capital city.Maine uses a waiting list system to allow new people into its lucrative lobster fishery, and critics of the system have complained that it takes too long to yield licenses. State lawmakers have proposed letting people off the wait list if they've been on it for 10 years or more.
The bill is up for a hearing on Tuesday at the Maine State House.
Democratic Rep. Joyce McCreight, the presenter of the bill, has said she's expecting a spirited hearing. Some members of the fishery are concerned about letting new people into the business when it is facing possible new restrictions to protect rare whales.