The objective of this project is to help fishing communities, DMR, University of Maine and the Maine Legislature develop and implement a collaborative process of managing the Maine lobster resource that fosters stewardship responsibility equally shared among all stakeholders. This process will promote a sustainable lobster fishery and may be integrated with other management strategies practiced throughout the Gulf of Maine.

Marine Extension Team staff and University of Maine researchers will assist the Lobster Zone Process to use all the best information available for decision making by combining traditional science with participatory science and biased sampling data (sea sampling) and fishermen's observations.

• UMCE/Sea Grant has partnered with DMR in the development of a monthly newsletter to all lobster license holders providing information about the zone council process.  This newsletter is now produced and distributed by DMR

• Written MOUs and Contracts will be used with all clients to clarify roles, responsibilities and expectations of all participants

• Direct outreach support will be available to all seven Zones

• Currently, monthly meeting facilitation and information distribution is being done for Zone D, Districts 5 and 6 (combined, about 200 fishermen).  Mailing is being done by K/L office staff. 

• A contract for these UMCE services has been written by the District 6 Representative

• MET staff and DMR staff are partnering successfully to improve the function of the Zone process.

For more information, please contact Sherman Hoyt