Stonington officials coordinate with neighboring towns to comment on NOAA whale‑rule proposal

Town Manager Billings alerted the Selectmen to the town’s concern about a proposed NOAA rule and a 10‑year plan that could require reductions to end lines used in lobster gear.

Billings said she sent materials and an easy‑to‑understand guide from the Maine Lobstermen’s Association to Selectmen and that she was coordinating with Vinalhaven, North Haven and other towns to prepare comments. The TM emphasized the potential economic and social impacts for inshore fishing communities and noted the deadlines for Biological Opinion comments and the broader 10‑year plan.

No formal board vote was recorded on a townwide comment at the meetings summarized here, but TM Billings said she had already submitted comments and would continue to work with the regional network and the congressional delegation. The minutes show the town is tracking the legal timeline and noted ongoing litigation and administrative processes at the federal level that will determine final rulemaking.

Selectmen asked to be kept informed and the TM said she would update the board as additional technical material and coordinated comments become available.