Since 2001, the Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation (GOMLF) has worked with a network of industry associations, government scientists and lobstermen throughout the Gulf of Maine to collect data on the sublegal lobster population. Currently 35 lobstermen in Maine are actively collecting data across all seven lobster zones. Ten lobstermen from Massachusetts joined the project in 2005.

2007 Regional Ventless Trap Program
The Department of Marine Resources, in cooperation with the Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation, seeks three additional industry participants for a Ventless Trap Program through a competitive bid process. This project was initiated in 2006 and will run during June, July and August 2007. Applicants will need to complete an application to identify vessel specifications, daily charter rate and preferred sampling leg. A total of nine legs will be covered from the Canadian border to New Hampshire, each leg will have 75-100 small mesh traps randomly positioned at three depths. This is an opportunity to participate in an exciting new cooperative research project supported by industry along the entire range of the resource.