In a letter to the editor, Rob Smith, a Connecticut lobsterman from Stonington and president of the Southern New England Fishing and Lobster Association, said he opposed legislation from the past legislative session that allows the sale and distribution of out-of-state lobsters that do not meet Connecticut's minimum size requirements, and praised State Senator Heather Somers for securing a delay in its implementation until 2027.
Stonington lobsterman criticizes Connecticut lobster law, praises Sen. Somers
In a letter to the editor, Rob Smith, a Connecticut lobsterman from Stonington and president of the Southern New England Fishing and Lobster Association, said he opposed legislation from the past legislative session that allows the sale and distribution of out-of-state lobsters that do not meet Connecticut's minimum size requirements, and praised State Senator Heather Somers for securing a delay in its implementation until 2027.
Smith wrote that Connecticut lobstermen strongly opposed the legislation, which he said was backed by the Connecticut Restaurant Association. He wrote that the measure passed with support from some legislators who represent their communities, and that the outcome was deeply disappointing to those whose livelihood depends on the industry.
Smith wrote that Senator Somers fought on their behalf, listened to their concerns, remained accessible and engaged, and understood the consequences for working fishermen and their families. He wrote that she secured a delay in the law's implementation until 2027, giving the industry time to prepare and continue making its case.
Smith wrote that lobstering in Connecticut is not what it once was. He wrote that decades ago Long Island Sound supported a thriving lobster fishery, and that those who remain work long hours under increasingly difficult conditions because it is a way of life that supports families, preserves a tradition, and contributes to the identity of coastal communities.
Smith wrote that supporters of the legislation argued it would lower prices for consumers. He wrote that the claim misses the mark, that any savings are likely to be minimal, and that damage to Connecticut's remaining lobstermen could be significant. He wrote that the result may be larger profit margins for distributors and restaurants at the expense of local fishermen.
Smith wrote that Senator Somers has stood up for Connecticut fishermen before. He wrote that when proposals before regional fisheries regulators threatened to reduce fishing grounds for Connecticut's commercial fleet, she was the only legislator who called on the federal government, attorneys general in surrounding states, and NOAA, and warned that shrinking fishing areas would devastate the industry in Stonington and bankrupt the fleet.
Smith wrote that working waterfronts in Stonington, Groton, and Noank are part of what makes those communities special, and that visitors come for authentic coastal New England, to see fishing boats return, buy seafood harvested by local fishermen, and support businesses rooted in maritime heritage. He wrote that losing more of the fleet would hurt individual families and diminish the region's economy.
Smith wrote that Senator Somers recognized the unfairness of a proposal that benefits large interests while placing additional burdens on a small and shrinking industry. He wrote that she stood with them during public hearings and throughout the legislative process, and highlighted concerns raised by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection about enforcement challenges associated with the legislation.
Smith wrote that following a unanimous vote from SNFLA to oppose the changes, every elected official had the opportunity to listen to the men and women directly affected by the proposal, and that few did. He wrote that Senator Somers did, and was willing to challenge what he called the narrative and bullying culture, question the status quo, and advocate for those whose voices are often overlooked in Hartford. He wrote that she earned his respect and his vote, and that effective representation means listening to constituents first and fighting for the people back home, not simply following the path of least resistance.
- The source does not state the bill number, the date of passage, or the date the delay was enacted.
- The source does not state the current minimum size requirements for lobsters in Connecticut or the specific out-of-state size standards at issue.
- The source does not provide independent verification of Smith's claims about consumer prices, profit margins, or the economic impact on lobstermen.
- The source does not include a direct response from the Connecticut Restaurant Association or from legislators who supported the measure.
- The source is a letter to the editor and does not state when it was written.
- The source does not state whether the legislation has been signed into law or its current legal status.
Read the original at CT Examiner