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New Hampshire Commercial Fisherman’s Association Newsletter

December 2025

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year,

Over the past year, the New Hampshire Commercial Fishermen’s Association has been hard at work keeping up with the many developments across the commercial fisheries we are all part of. It has been a whirlwind staying on top of everything, along with the fishing itself, which is why we do what we do. As we wrap up the year, we want to provide everyone with a clear recap of the major events, efforts, and accomplishments.

One of our most important achievements has been strengthening relationships across the industry, working more closely with fellow associations, fishery regulators, and government officials. We’ve made a strong effort to elevate New Hampshire’s voice, especially since we are often overlooked between Maine and Massachusetts. Over the past year, we increased our engagement with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC), the two major bodies regulating our fisheries.

One advantage of New Hampshire’s small coastline is that we can focus closely on the specific issues impacting us. We make every effort to gather input from as many fishermen as possible. Even though we share most regulations with our neighboring states, it’s often easier for us to get on the same page and stay organized, something we appreciate from everyone who contributes. There is no question that New Hampshire’s voice is now being heard, and we will continue to fight for what is best for our fishermen and our state.

We also strengthened our relationship with the New England Fishermen Stewardship Association (NEFSA), which has become a strong force in the industry in recent years. We stay in close contact with their team, and several members of our association serve on their board. Their support has been incredibly valuable.

Another major development has been our work building a stronger connection between NHCFA and New Hampshire’s elected officials, especially Governor Kelly Ayotte. From what we’ve seen, the governor cares deeply about the future of our fisheries and has been willing to listen and help. This year, we met with her twice. Once at the Portsmouth Fish Pier, where Damon brought her on a boat ride to the mouth of the river, allowing us to show firsthand what we do and why it matters. We also met privately at the State House, where the Board of Officers (Damon Frampton, Mike Flanagan, Jared McIntire, and Jake Eaton) had an hour-long discussion with the governor about concerns in industry and infrastructure needs. We also provided several resumes for board seats on state and management councils where we hope to see active fishermen appointed.

Most importantly, the governor listened. She was receptive, engaged, and committed to helping, now and in the future. We were extremely pleased with the meeting and the strong working relationship we’ve built.

Policy and Regulatory Efforts

This year, we were active in several major regulatory issues. The proposed gauge increase was one of our top concerns for an extended period. Without New Hampshire’s strong response, we would likely be in a very different situation today. Reaching out to the governor and presenting our case had a massive impact. Her public statement that New Hampshire would not adopt the measure disrupted the process at ASMFC and ultimately protected our fishermen. This was a tremendous win. While the issue may return in the future, it appears we are safe -for now- from additional regulations in the lobster industry for 2026. Above all, this experience showed the power of fishermen speaking up together.

We also spent considerable time this year on the menhaden fishery, specifically the proposal to allow the use of a power block. After extensive discussion among fishermen and Fish & Game, it became clear that the most effective route was through legislation in Concord. Although the political process moved slowly, we are happy to share that the legislation passed, and as confirmed during the New Hampshire advisory meeting on December 8, the use of a power block has been fully approved for the menhaden fishery. While we were hoping to see it implemented for 2025, we are now in the final stages, and everything points to approval for 2026. It took a lot of time and effort, but it paid off.

Beyond these two major issues, we continue to stay on top of the constant stream of regulatory developments from ASMFC, NEFMC, and other groups. Whether attending meetings in person or virtually submitting public comments, or communicating directly with regulators, we are making sure New Hampshire’s voice is consistently heard. Issues come up every few weeks, but we believe we are in a stronger position than ever, and we are gaining recognition and influence at the table. Our state is unique, and what we experience on the water is different from fishermen in Machias, Maine, or the Cape. We remain dedicated to protecting New Hampshire’s fisheries and fighting for fair and practical management.

Meetings, Membership, and Looking Ahead

NHCFA continues to hold regular meetings on the first Wednesday of every month. While it can feel like a lot, staying informed and connected is essential. We deeply appreciate the members who attend, along with those who put in additional work by participating in outside meetings and speaking up on behalf of our fishermen. We are a small community, and we need to look out for each other. If you have concerns or need help with any fishery, please reach out. Even if you can’t attend meetings, an email or phone call goes a long way.

As we wrap up another year and as the weather turns, please remember that annual membership dues of $100 are due February 1st. Payments can be made by check or on our website. We greatly appreciate the support.

For those winding down their season and those gearing up for the next one, stay safe and keep fishing. And as always, reach out with any questions or concerns.

Warm regards,

New Hampshire Commercial Fishermen’s Association