U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has secured funding and legislative provisions aimed at supporting Maine’s lobster industry in the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations bill. The legislation passed the Senate today after House approval last week and now awaits the President’s signature.
Senator Collins emphasized the importance of improving scientific research used by federal agencies to regulate Maine’s lobster industry. “This funding will support Maine’s lobster industry by improving the incomplete and imprecise science and research upon which the federal government relies. The flawed data being used to inform regulations has created unnecessary, burdensome requirements for Maine lobstermen and women,” said Senator Collins. “As Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to ensure this funding was included in the final funding bill.”
The appropriations include $30 million allocated to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission for North Atlantic Right Whale research and monitoring. The bill also instructs NOAA to collaborate with Canadian authorities on developing risk reduction measures comparable in effectiveness to those implemented in the U.S.
Additionally, $80 million is provided for the National Sea Grant Program. This follows an announcement last year that Maine Sea Grant would lose its funding; however, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick responded to Senator Collins’ urging by directing NOAA to renegotiate terms so that Maine Sea Grant can continue work focused on coastal economies and sustainable fisheries.
For American lobster research specific to Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank areas, $2 million will be distributed through Maine Sea Grant. Another $300,000 is set aside for a cooperative program collecting biological and environmental data on American lobster and Jonah crab using modern technology aboard commercial fishing vessels. The legislation directs that this research be carried out through partnerships among state agencies, academia, and industry with attention given to stock resilience amid environmental changes as well as responses needed for modifications related to whale protection plans.
Language within the bill also calls for NOAA collaboration with Canadian officials on fisheries management in disputed waters known as the Gray Zone.
Through Congressionally Directed Spending projects included in this CJS Appropriations bill, more than $73 million will go toward initiatives across Maine. Among these is a $1 million allocation intended to expand an American Lobster Settlement Index collector survey at the University of Maine.
