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Maine Governor Says State Won’t Abide By ‘Absurd’ Federal Regulations on Lobster Industry Meant To Save Whales
July 15, 2019
Maine Governor Janet Mills says state officials won’t follow a new federal regulation calling for a drastic reduction in lobstering in Maine waters announced because several right whales have been killed by boats in waters off Canada.
Mills, a Democrat, cited what she called a “disturbing lack of evidence” that lobstering in Maine is causing any endangered right whales to die from vessel strikes.
“I will not stand idly by as Washington attempts to threaten your livelihoods and our way of life,” Mills wrote in a letter to lobstermen dated Thursday, July 11 but first reported Monday, July 15. “My Administration will not allow any bureaucrat to undermine our lobster industry or our economy with foolish, unsupported, and ill-advised regulations. I stand with you and I will do everything I can as your Governor to protect your rights and your livelihoods and defend Maine’s lobster industry in the face of absurd federal overreach.”
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