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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 astronaut Jessica Meir shares stunning aurora view from ISS

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Maine astronaut Jessica Meir shares stunning aurora view from ISS


INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION, (WGME) — Maine native and NASA astronaut Jessica Meir is giving us a look into her view from the International Space Station.

Meir shared this breathtaking view on X Sunday. It’s a stunning aurora show.

Meir is the commander for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission.

Maine native and NASA astronaut Jessica Meir is giving us a look into her view from the International Space Station. (Courtesy of Jessica Meir)

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She says there is a lot going on right now on the space station.

A few days ago, astronauts had to deal with a leak.

Meir says everyone on board is safe and happy to see the spectacular views.

The SpaceX Crew-12 has been up in the stars for 115 days.



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Showers passing across Maine today; warmer and drier to start the workweek

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Showers passing across Maine today; warmer and drier to start the workweek


BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Good morning, and Happy Sunday everyone. Skies are on the cloudier side across Maine this morning with scattered showers for much of the state. A couple of breaks in clouds can be found here or there. Temperatures vary throughout the 50s for most, while reaching the 60s and low 70s in Southern Maine as more consistent sunshine is allowing for plenty of heating. Patchy fog remains across a good chunk of the state with some towns under one mile. Winds are on the calmer side this morning.

The morning hours will remain cloudier with showers and patchy fog for many. By the afternoon, showers will continue for most of the state, but will taper off from the NW to SE. This means conditions will dry out with sunshine developing across Northern Maine by the midafternoon. Showers will continue along the interstate until 3-4pm, with sunshine then filtering in by the later evening hours. Coastal locations will experience showers until the later evening hours, with clouds breaking by sunset, allowing for some sun to end the day. High temps today will vary from the upper 50s to low 70s. Dewpoints will become sticky in spots. Winds will be on the lighter side in the morning, before becoming breezy in the afternoon with WSW to NNW gusts reaching 25-35 mph.

Rainfall totals today will vary between a quarter to a half of an inch for most. Some pockets to the northwest, however, will only reach a tenth of an inch to a quarter inch.

Conditions will be quiet tonight. Besides a few clouds and light showers Downeast shortly before sunset, skies will clear with mostly to completely clear conditions and some patchy morning fog. Low temps will reach the low 40s to low 50s with North to NNW gusts remaining a bit breezy, reaching 20-30 mph.

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Monday will be a dry day, and in my opinion, the pick of the week. Skies will be sunny with just a few clouds developing later in the evening. High temps will warm up, from the low 70s to low 80s. NNW/SW gusts will remain just a little breezy, reaching 20-25 mph.

Another beautiful day with mostly sunny skies is expected on Tuesday. However, temperatures will really start to warm. Highs will vary from the mid 70s to upper 80s. WNW/SW gusts will only reach 20 mph.

Above average temperatures will carry on Wednesday through Friday with highs throughout the 70s and 80s for most. However, this stretch of days is becoming increasingly unsettled. Showers and thunderstorms look increasingly more likely to develop during the afternoons as some frontal systems pass through. The greatest chance of showers and storms will be Wednesday night through Thursday. More cloud cover is thus expected, so temperatures aren’t looking to peak as high as they were originally expected to reach. Dewpoints will also become sticky towards the end of the work week, reaching into the 60s on Thursday and Friday.

SUNDAY: Highs from upper 50s to low 70s. Cloudier AM with showers. PM showers tapering off from NW to SE. Evening sunshine developing. Slightly sticky dewpoints. WSW to NNW gusts reach 25-35 mph during PM.

MONDAY: Highs from low 70s to low 80s. Sunny skies. A few evening clouds. NNW/SW gusts reach 20-25 mph.

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TUESDAY: Highs from mid 70s to upper 80s. Mostly sunny skies. WNW/SW gusts reach 20 mph.

WEDNESDAY: Highs from low 70s to upper 80s. Partly to mostly cloudy AM. Cloudy PM with showers & storms possible. Slightly sticky dewpoints. SW gusts reach 15-20 mph.

THURSDAY: Highs from upper 60s to mid 80s. Partly to mostly cloudy. Showers & storms possible. Sticky dewpoints. South/SW gusts reach 15-20 mph.

FRIDAY: Highs from mid 60s to low 80s. Partly cloudy, few mostly cloudy spots. PM showers/storms possible. Sticky dewpoints. South gusts reach 15-20 mph.

Copyright 2026 WABI. All rights reserved.

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Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner defends his past on campaign trail

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Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner defends his past on campaign trail


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Nightly News

At a rally with supporters, Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner spoke out to defend his past after appearing to address new allegations made against him by three women who spoke with the New York Times. Some voters said they are sticking with Platner despite the controversy. NBC News’ Monica Alba reports.

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