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NH Gov. Kelly Ayotte joins Maine in rejecting new lobster regulations to protect industry

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NH Gov. Kelly Ayotte joins Maine in rejecting new lobster regulations to protect industry


SEABROOK — New Hampshire has joined Maine in rejecting new regulations that would increase the minimum length of catchable lobster this summer.

Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte sent a letter to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) that oversees lobster caught by New Hampshire and Maine fishermen, stating New Hampshire would not comply with the guidelines set to go into effect July 1.

The new regulation requires an increase in the size of the gauge used by fishermen to measure lobster length, determining whether they can be caught or must be released. Lobstermen measure the size of a lobster by gauging its carapace (shell) from the eye socket to the tail.

Ayotte echoed a concern expressed by lawmakers in Seabrook, where lobstering is a local industry, that the rule could decrease lobstermen’s hauls by 30%. Her letter to the ASMFC follows similar action by Maine Department of Marine Resources Patrick Keliher, who said earlier this month Maine would not follow the regulations.

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Ayotte called New Hampshire’s commercial fishing industry a “proud part of our heritage,” and said she has heard “loud and clear” from lobstermen and their supporters that the new regulations would damage the industry and the state.

“To ensure the survival of an iconic and historic industry in our state and our region, and to ensure our nation remains competitive in global trade, I ask you today to rescind these new guidelines,” Ayotte wrote. “In the meantime, New Hampshire will comply with the previous minimum size for lobster in an effort to preserve this proud industry.”

Since 2017, regulators have faced pressure to increase lobster gauge sizes following trawl surveys that indicated a decline in the population of small, sub-legal lobsters, according to Seafood Source.

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The new regulation aims to address a 35% decrease in juvenile lobsters settling on the ocean floor, which is crucial for their maturation. ASMFC voting members, representing each Atlantic coast state, believe the change is necessary to help the lobster population recover. Cheri Patterson, chief of Marine Fisheries at New Hampshire Fish and Game, said earlier this month the rule was “backed by science.”

Lobstermen, however, have expressed concern that the regulations have no impact on Canadian fishermen who also catch lobster. Jim Titone, a Seabrook lobsterman since 1965, said the new change would also mean the end of fishing for the “chicken lobster” class, which refers to those that weigh 1 to 1.25 pounds.

Maine was set to adopt the gauge change for its lobstermen until a Jan. 9 hearing in Augusta drew significant backlash from members of the lobster industry. The following day, Keliher stated that they would not adopt the policy.

Lawmakers in New Hampshire who support the lobstermen then turned to Ayotte, as well as the incoming Trump administration, according to state Rep. Aboul Khan, who represents Seabrook, where many lobstermen dock their boats. He said he was glad Tuesday when Ayotte announced New Hampshire would not adopt the regulation.

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“It would be good for the New Hampshire economy,” Khan said. “Thanks to Kelly Ayotte for understanding the men and women who work in this industry.”

Patterson could not be reached for comment.



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Maine

This Maine Restaurant’s Lobster Roll Is 3 Feet Long… Yes, Really!

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This Maine Restaurant’s Lobster Roll Is 3 Feet Long… Yes, Really!


This iconic spot is a “road-trip-worthy” Maine destination, but can you handle their newest addition?

Spring has sprung, which means plenty of people will take a well-deserved break from the daily grind and hit the open road. If you’re heading out to explore some cool Maine traditions—and you love lobster rolls—we’ve found the perfect stop.

The Taste of Maine restaurant has been serving up delicious seafood since 1978. They’re famous for a few things: a giant inflatable lobster that covers about 75% of the roof, and their claim to fame—the “World’s Largest Lobster Roll.”

These legendary lobster rolls are 22 inches long, and over the years, many customers have taken on the dare of finishing one. If you succeed, you earn membership in the “Clean Plate Club”—no easy feat given the size of this lobster roll.

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But this year, Taste of Maine has gone even bigger. Introducing the “Monster” Lobster Roll: 3 feet long, packed with 2½ pounds of fresh Maine lobster meat—tail, claw, and knuckle—all on a 6-inch roll. This colossal creation carries a price tag of $259.99.

Read More: Maine Amusement Park Reveals New Family Attraction For 2026

Located at 161 Main Street in Woolwich, Maine, Taste of Maine is now open for its 48th season.

One of the best things about Taste of Maine is watching people take on these enormous lobster rolls. Guests love filming themselves attempting to finish them, including a Guinness World Records titleholder for “World’s Largest Mouth Gape.”

Spring Hours:

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Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM

To see just how long Taste of Maine has been a local favorite, check out this classic TV commercial from the 1980s!

New Arcade in Brewer, Maine Opens This Month

Game on, Brewer! The arcade of your dreams is almost here. Get ready to press start!

Gallery Credit: Arlen Jameson

12 New Restaurants That Opened in Maine in February 2026

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

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Maine lawmakers should prioritize childcare

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Maine lawmakers should prioritize childcare



To the Editor;

Access to affordable child care plays a direct role in whether Maine families can work, pursue education, and maintain stability. The Child Care Affordability Program helps keep child care costs within reach for working families.

To the Editor;

Access to affordable child care plays a direct role in whether Maine families can work, pursue education, and maintain stability. The Child Care Affordability Program helps keep child care costs within reach for working families.

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At Penquis, we serve 270 children from 266 families across dozens of communities through our child development programs, including Head Start, Early Head Start, and child care. We see firsthand how access to child care determines whether parents can work, pursue education and build long-term stability for their families, particularly in communities facing workforce shortages and rising cost of living. 

Child care availability alone is not enough. We can have programs and facilities in place, but if care is not affordable, it remains out of reach for families who are already struggling.

Without it, the cost of child care places an unsustainable burden on Maine families, consuming as much as 29% to 39% of income for single-parent households and 10% to 13% for two-parent families. CCAP is one of the few tools that effectively addresses this challenge by ensuring child care costs are affordable, capping costs at 7% of income for those with the lowest incomes, and expanding access for many more families.

Investing in CCAP supports children’s healthy development, enables parents to participate in the workforce, and strengthens Maine’s economy. We urge state leaders to prioritize this $15 million investment in the supplemental budget and ensure that affordable child care is accessible to the families who need it most.

Kara Hay
president and chief executive officer

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Penquis

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Wife dead, husband in serious condition after fire at Maine home

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Wife dead, husband in serious condition after fire at Maine home


A woman is dead, and her husband is in serious condition after a fire broke out at their home in Readfield, Maine, Friday night.

The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office tells NBC10 Boston affiliate News Center Maine that the Readfield Fire Department responded to the house on Plains Road around 9:51 p.m. and found a large fire.

Jerrold Wentworth, 74, had escaped from a second-floor window and told crews that his wife was still on the second floor of the home, officials said, but firefighters were unable to go inside to rescue 75-year-old Carolyn Wentworth due to the fiery conditions.

A photo shared by the fire marshal’s office shows the fire destroyed the home.

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Carolyn Wentworth’s body was found in the debris around 1:45 a.m. Saturday, near where she had been sleeping, fire officials tell News Center Maine. An autopsy will be conducted to determine her cause of death.

Jerrold Wentworth was taken to Maine General Medical Center where he’s in serious condition, officials added.

Investigators from the state fire marshal’s office responded to the scene and are working to determine the cause of the deadly fire.

An investigation remains ongoing.

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