Lobstermen are lobbying against a proposed law that would eliminate potential penalties for Maine-based groundfishing boats that catch lobsters in federally regulated waters.

More than 20 lobstermen are expected at the State House today to speak out against the bill. They say it would loosen regulations that protect the lobster resource.

In a split vote, the Legislature’s

Marine Resources Committee last month endorsed the bill, which would allow Maine-based boats to keep lobsters they catch in the federal zones, as long as they don’t land them in Maine.

Fishermen now routinely keep the lobster by-catch and sell them in Massachusetts, but they face possible $50,000 fines if Maine officials catch them with lobsters in federal waters.

Bill supporters say it would encourage fishermen to keep their boats in Portland.