STONINGTON, Maine — Lobstermen and women from around the state gathered by the dozens in Stonington Sunday for a rally to protect their industry.
The commercial fishing pier in Stonington was the scene for the Sunday afternoon rally to “protect the future of the lobster industry and coastal communities,” according to a press release about the event.
Maine’s congressional delegation including Gov. Janet Mills, Sen. Susan Collins, Rep. Chellie Pingree and Rep. Jared Golden were also on hand to address the crowd and share their support.
Maine’s lobster industry has been facing major challenges recently including high trade tariffs, low bait shortages, and new regulations on the industry in an effort to save the right whale population.
Maine’s lobster industry has been blamed for the recent deaths of right whales on the east coast, though no deaths have been reported in Maine waters.
Photos: Lobstermen's rally in Stonington
All of the lobstermen who spoke at the Sunday afternoon rally say they’ve never seen a right whale while out on the water, let alone having hit and killed one with their boats.
Right whale deaths have recently been confirmed in Massachusetts on Cape Cod and up north in Canadian waters.