SEN COLLINS ASKS DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO RECONSIDER CASE OF MAINE LOBSTERMAN

WASHINGTON, DC—Senator Susan Collins, who chairs the Governmental Affairs Committee, which oversees the Department of Homeland Security and customs-related issues, has requested that the agency reconsider the case of J. Coburn Drisko. Drisko is a Lincolnville lobsterman whose business has been threatened by a dispute regarding the Jones Act, a 70-year old law. Yesterday, Senator Collins requested that officials of the U.S.Customs and Border Protection (CBP) immediately brief her staff at the Governmental Affairs Committee. As a result of her request, a briefing took place earlier this morning.

During the meeting, Collins' staff asked CBP officials to explain the decision and to provide options that would permit Drisko Lobster, Inc. to continue usual business operations. Specifically, Senator Collins requested that the CBP reconsider its earlier decision, which was not favorable to Drisko.

"The recent decision of the CBP that Mr. Drisko is not in compliance with a law should be immediately reconsidered, and Drisko should be permitted to operate with all of its vessels pending a new determination. The implications of this current decision on Mr. Drisko, his family and the people he employs are major, and unfortunate. Similar to the majority of Maine's fishing industry, he is a small businessman who is trying to comply with the law in good faith and make an honest living," said Senator Collins.

At issue is the Jones Law, a 70-year old federal law governing the transport of cargo. The law prohibits foreign built vessels to be used to transport cargo. While Drisko's boats are Canadian built and registered in Maine, there is a dispute as to whether his use of the boats for is in compliance with the Jones Act.

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