Maine Lobster Added to 'Red List' of Seafood to Avoid

Governor Janet Mills is slamming Seafood Watch’s designation of lobster caught in the Gulf of Maine as on the “red list” of seafood to be avoided. Governor Mills issued the following statement in response:

Seafood Watch is misleading consumers and businesses with this designation. Generations of Maine lobstermen have worked hard to protect the sustainability of the lobster fishery, and they have taken unprecedented steps to protect right whales – efforts that the Federal government and now Seafood Watch have failed to recognize. No right whale death has been attributed to Maine gear, and there has not been a right whale entanglement attributed to Maine lobster gear in eighteen years.

“This designation is flat out wrong. It sends the wrong message about Maine lobster, and it insults thousands of hardworking lobstermen who risk their lives to put food on the table while practicing responsible stewardship and taking action to protect whales. Consumers and businesses must see through this list and recognize that lobstermen are partners in conservation and sustainability and that the delicious Maine lobster can and should continue to be enjoyed.

An influential watchdog group is putting lobster on its list of seafood consumers should avoid in order to protect endangered right whales, but Gov. Mills, Maine lobstermen, locals, and tourists are speaking out, saying this list is flat-out wrong.
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— CBS 13 News (@WGME) September 7, 2022