However, the federal government has acknowledged fishermen’s complaints that supply chain issues have prevented many harvesters from acquiring the gear yet. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has said it would use “graduated enforcement effort” until those problems have been resolved.

Many public officials in Maine, including Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, have said the deadline for the new rules should have simply been delayed. Members of the industry have also charged that the new rules could make fishing more difficult, more expensive and more dangerous.