The Department of Marine Resources has decided to conduct a study of Maine’s lobster licensing system, and is expected to award a bid for the analysis to a company by next month. A full report is expected by January.

While it seems fitting to review the system, which was put into place in 1997, legislators should consider the results with care, since the decisions they make to implement any changes will have a serious impact on the state’s lobstermen and its fisheries.

Complaints about the licensing system were the catalyst for the study, since the way it is set up now makes it very difficult for any aspiring adult lobsterman to get a license, according to those trying to get into the industry.

Currently, there are 4,600 licensed lobstermen, who haul 2-3 million traps, according to an Associated Press report. One new license is awarded whenever a total of 4,000 traps are retired, meaning five or six people have to give up their licenses before someone new can try their hand at the occupation. Obviously, that doesn’t happen at a fast enough rate to satisfy everyone on the waiting lists ”“ most of which have more than 50 people.

In addition, anyone seeking a new license must complete a two-year apprenticeship program. If it’s done before they hit age 18, they get a special exception and are granted a license, in an effort to keep lobstering running through generations in a family. If they let their license lapse, however, the wait to get a new one can be many years, just as it is for any adult who applies.

It’s a frustrating situation for those who want to get into lobstering, but it’s a unique industry, and its regulation is a must if we want lobstering to continue to be a viable occupation and a sustainable fishery. Harvesting of lobster must be regulated unless we want to wipe out the entire population ”“ and that’s certainly not anyone’s desired outcome.

That said, only so many people can have licenses to trap them and each of these commercial fishermen needs access to enough traps to make their investment in their boat, traps, lines and other equipment worthwhile. And those who have committed to making a career out of it certainly shouldn’t be subjected to wondering whether they’ll get a license this year or not, like a moose lottery.

We’re eager to see the report, and the solutions it suggests, but the protection of a sustainable lobster fishery should be paramount in any decisions the Legislature makes in response. Some jobs are just tough to get into, for whatever reason, and we urge the Legislature to consider the long-term impacts of any changes they may make. Not everyone can have equal access to an industry that is already full, as there are only so many traps that can be set before this aspect of Maine’s coastal heritage goes extinct.

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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.