Lobster and Crab Bait Allowed and Not

Lobster and crab fishermen have historically fished using Atlantic herring and menhaden as bait, but quotas for these species have been reduced significantly in the last decade, causing price increases and reduced availability. In response, industry sought non-historic bait sources that are less expensive and more readily available. The ecological risk of these non-historic baits was previously unknown. The new classification system and review process were created to prevent the introduction of diseases and pests into Maine’s coastal waters.

12 MRSA 6432-A Bait bill, passed during the second session of the 125th Legislature, gives the Maine DMR authority to review and prohibit the use of any freshwater or marine organism as lobster and crab bait that poses an unacceptable risk to the marine environment and consumers. The Legislature deemed this law necessary in response to increased use of non-historic baits that could potentially introduce diseases and pests into Maine’s coastal waters causing significant harm to aquatic populations and/or the public.