The Maine Lobstermen’s Association is renewing its opposition to a federal requirement for continuous GPS tracking on lobster vessels, following a recent court ruling that upheld the mandate.
In a statement, the association said it has consistently opposed the 24/7 tracking requirement for federally permitted lobstermen and has pushed for alternative data collection methods that it says better protect fishermen’s privacy and business information.Â
The issue remains significant in Maine, where the lobster industry is a key economic driver supporting thousands of jobs in coastal communities.
The association outlined its position in a December 2025 blog post following a Nov. 18 federal appeals court decision that upheld the requirement. The group was not a plaintiff in the case, which was brought by five lobstermen who argued that continuous monitoring violates privacy rights and exceeds government authority.
Under the rule, issued through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, federally permitted lobster vessels are required to use GPS devices that transmit location data whenever a boat is in the water, regardless of activity. Regulators say the system is intended to support fishery management and protected species conservation efforts, including efforts related to right whale protections.
Maine’s lobster fishery remains one of the state’s most valuable industries. According to the Maine Department of Marine Resources, harvesters landed 78.8 million pounds of lobster in 2025, worth about $461 million at the dock. The average price reached $5.85 per pound, among the highest on record, even as total landings declined from the previous year.
The broader tracking requirement applies to federally permitted lobster vessels along the East Coast and is designed to improve stock assessments and inform conservation decisions, according to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Similar monitoring rules have drawn concern from some small-boat operators who use their vessels for both commercial and personal purposes.
Founded in 1954, the Maine Lobstermen’s Association has represented commercial lobster harvesters for more than 70 years on management, regulatory, and economic issues affecting the fishery. The group works to balance conservation goals with the viability of family-owned operations that sustain Maine’s coastal economy.
