Down East Lobstermen’s Association (DELA) represents Maine fishermen and their families to sustain traditional lobstering as it has been upheld for generations. DELA is a qualified exempt organization under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
DELA was formed by a small group of lobstermen in the Jonesport, Maine Area. Since it's humble beginning, this association has become known state and nationwide. Our membership includes lobstermen from Kittery to Eastport. We also have members in the Atlantic States, such as New Hampshire and Massachusetts. All of these lobstermen share the same interest and concerns about their fishery. We also have Business Associate and Avid Supporter memberships from as far as the West Coast, such as Washington, state.
DELA would be proud to have you join us as a member. Some people say, “why be a member?” The more the membership, the bigger the voice. When you look at our fishery from where we came to where it is going, we need to stay united. When a package of hot dogs cost more than what a lobsterman gets paid for a pound of lobster off the boat, this is a big problem! With the cost of operating climbing, it’s only going to get tougher, especially when you factor in all of the changing regulations as well. Over the past year, DELA has really stepped up to its presence as a leader in our fishery. We have earned the respect from many for being straight forward and holding to our positions. DELA will not double talk. We mean what we say and say what we mean. That’s “Downeast Tradition". Some people will say that it is a done deal but we have a different belief: remember what Joshua Chamberlain said to his troops of the 2nd Maine at Gettysburg, “We are the end of the line, if we fail, we will lose this battle, if we lost this battle, we lose the war.”
We hope that you would consider joining DELA –
“Your Voice Will Be Heard!”
If you are interested in becoming a member to support the Maine Fisheries, please contact us or click on 'Membership' tab for more information.
Lobster Fishermen of Maine
There they sit, painted red and blue...
It's springtime in Maine, there's so much to do.
Winter is over, much milder than the rest,
The flowers are coming, the birds making their nest.
He's up at 4:30, stumbles down the stairs,
To haul his traps in trawls or pairs.
Put wood in the boiler, make his lunch, feed the dog...
Drive down to the co-op, to see it's thick-o-fog!
They're a tough old bunch...
the lobster fishermen from Maine.
Lobster prices so low...
could drive anyone insane!
With Stinson's closing, I feel it's a mess...
Where they get their bait is anyone's guess!
They work long hours, sometimes in pain,
Too many rules, and this sink rope is lame!
For our husbands who make lobster fishing their life...
I wonder what's next...being a fisherman's wife.
For all that hard work, going out to haul...
Perhaps it's time for us to win Power Ball!
Association....
"By the fishermen, for the fishermen."
May 22, 2012 - Augusta, ME--
(L.D. 1544) Bill "An Act To Expand the Authority of Lobster Management Policy Councils To Address Entry into Lobster Management Zones and To Create a Temporary Medical Allowance" (HP1113) (EMERGENCY) (Presented by Representative KUMIEGA of Deer Isle)
DELA was notified in the last minute about this bill. We received a phone call
from Diane Cowan's office with Mike Dassatt leaving right away for Augusta to
represent.
He got there with little time to spare and testified in opposition
to LD-1549. With this bill listed as "Emergency" - if it had passed, it would be
effective immediately.
The vote was 6 - 6 "ought not to pass with resolve."
A request for a letter to be written by the Maine delegation to change this as a
federal law to stop the landing of non-trap caught lobsters was proposed by the
Marine Resource Committee. This letter will go to Atlantic States Marine
Fisheries Council and the Maine delegates in Washington, DC.
