CONCORD, N.H. – On Tuesday, Governor Kelly Ayotte sent a letter to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission notifying them that New Hampshire will not comply with new guidelines increasing the minimum size for lobsters caught in the Gulf of Maine.

“New Hampshire’s commercial fishing industry is a proud part of our heritage, and I have heard loud and clear from our lobstermen, commercial fishermen, and concerned legislators and citizens from our Seacoast that this minimum size increase will have a negative impact on an industry already strained by existing regulations,” said Governor Ayotte in the letter. “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. In the meantime, New Hampshire will comply with the previous minimum size for lobster in an effort to preserve this proud industry.”

Governor Ayotte’s letter is in response to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission guidelines to increase the minimum size for catchable lobsters in states including Maine and New Hampshire over the next two years. The State of Maine has also announced it will not comply with the new guidelines after an outpouring of opposition from local lobstermen.

Read Governor Ayotte’s full letter to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.