AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine lobstermen packed a hearing in Augusta today for testimony on proposed changes to the state's lobster licensing laws. The changes are aimed at shortening waiting lists for license applicants.
During the public hearing before the Legislature's Marine Resources Committee, lawmakers heard the pros and cons of a bill designed to streamline the process of obtaining a license, which often takes years.
Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobsterman's Association, said her organization felt it had to oppose the bill.
"The MLA believes that the proposals contained in LD1503 oversimplify the problem and do not create any meaningful reform to the entry program," McCarron said. "We're extremely concerned that 1503 undermines the authority of Maine's lobster zone councils, does not address latency and does not guarantee any resolution for those who have completed an apprentice program and are waiting for a commercial license."
Deer Isle Democrat Rep. Walter Kumiega proposed the changes, which include the creation of a new class of license that would be limited to 300 traps instead of the current 800.
Ethan Debery, of Phippsburg, said many license applicants are becoming discouraged by what they see as a process designed to delay the issuance of licenses. The current waiting list contains the names of nearly 300 people.
"The system's broken right now. We've got 20-, 30-year waits in some zones," Debery said. "People are waiting behind zone transfers - I'm waiting behind people that already have a license. What we're running here is not an apprentice program, what we're running here is simply a 'keep people out' program. That's what this is being used for right now."
The current waiting list contains the names of nearly 300 people.