Frank Thompson, a fifth-generation lobsterman and one of the operators of Fox Island Lobster Company, has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court, challenging a federal requirement for continuous GPS tracking on lobster vessels and raising concerns about Fourth Amendment protections against government surveillance.
The case centers on whether regulators can require 24/7 location monitoring of private fishing vessels as a condition of holding a commercial license. The rule, enforced by the Maine Department of Marine Resources and mandated by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, requires federally licensed lobster boats to transmit location data every minute while underway and every six hours when docked or moored, according to a Pacific Legal Foundation article on Thompson’s petition.
The requirement applies even when vessels are not actively fishing.
“It’s supposed to be a free country. But where’s the freedom in this? You throw the line off your boat in the morning, go to haul, and you’re looking over your shoulder wondering if the marine patrol officer is going to write you up,” Thompson said. “I’d like to have a few years — what I’ve got left — not looking over my shoulder. I’d like to have peace and quiet.”
The Maine lobster industry supports thousands of jobs statewide and generates hundreds of millions of dollars in annual landed value, serving as a cornerstone of the state’s coastal economy. The GPS rule applies to federally permitted vessels and has drawn scrutiny for requiring tracking beyond active fishing hours, according to Mainebiz.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission mandate covers federally licensed lobster vessels across ten East Coast states and took effect in late 2023. SeafoodSource reports that the rule requires tracking devices to operate whenever a vessel is in the water, including during periods of recreational or personal use. Noncompliance can result in fines, license suspension, or a federal moratorium on the fishery in affected states.
The Maine Lobstermen’s Association has also voiced opposition to the 24/7 tracking requirement, arguing that lobstermen frequently use their vessels for both commercial and personal purposes. The group has called for data collection methods that balance conservation goals with privacy concerns. No state legislators have publicly opposed the rule, according to the Portland Press Herald.
Thompson operates Fox Island Lobster Company with his wife and two sons and has worked off Vinalhaven for more than 60 years. His family business relies on traditional knowledge passed down through generations for trap placement and fishing locations.
