PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The commissioner of the
Maine Department of Marine Resources says he is not closing the
lobster fishery despite low prices.
Patrick Keliher says after reviewing the situation with lawyers they have concluded that the department does not have the authority to
shut down the lobster industry for economic reasons. Keliher also says the state will not tolerate any illegal activities by lobstermen who refuse to fish.
He says any activities like cutting gear and sabotaging traps will be met with swift enforcement and prosecution. Keliher also says his department will continue to work with fishermen to find a solution to the problem of low lobster prices in the future.
Lobstermen all over the state have been tying up their boats in an attempt to ease the glut and raise prices.