Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) is expressing his frustration with President Joe Biden’s upcoming lobster dinner with France’s Emmanuel Macron.
Golden took to Twitter to respond to a tweet, saying, “200 live lobsters were shipped from Maine to the White House yesterday morning to prep the butter-poached lobster course of tomorrow night’s State Dinner … per Chef Comerford.”
He replied, “If the Biden White House can prioritize purchasing 200 Maine lobsters for a fancy dinner, [President Biden] should also take the time to meet with the Maine lobstermen his administration is currently regulating out of business.”
If the Biden White House can prioritize purchasing 200 Maine lobsters for a fancy dinner, @POTUS should also take the time to meet with the Maine lobstermen his administration is currently regulating out of business. https://t.co/PLiGGopsid
— Congressman Jared Golden (@RepGolden) December 1, 2022
Politico noted Golden is a “centrist known for breaking with his party.”
The Maine lawmaker previously issued a statement in October claiming Biden broke his promise to the state’s lobstermen.
“In 2020, while running for president, Biden pledged, ‘I will work to protect the livelihood and safety of the fishing community’ in reference to lobstermen. He has yet to take a single action to make good on that pledge,” Golden said at the time.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the decision by Whole Foods to put a pause on purchases of Maine lobster has led to backlash from the state’s elected officials and lobster industry.
The decision was reportedly caused by changes in sustainability ratings for Maine lobster fisheries by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch based in California and Marine Stewardship Council based in London.
Maine Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden, and Gov. Janet Mills issued a statement responding to the decision.
“We are disappointed by Whole Foods’ decision and deeply frustrated that the Marine Stewardship Council’s suspension of the lobster industry’s certificate of sustainability continues to harm the livelihoods of hardworking men and women up and down Maine’s coast,” the statement read.
It continues, “In an appeal to retailers just weeks ago, we outlined the facts: there has never been a right whale death attributed to Maine lobster gear; Maine lobstermen have a 150-year history of sustainability; and Maine’s lobstering community has consistently demonstrated their commitment to protecting right whales.”
The statement argues, “Despite this, the Marine Stewardship Council, with retailers following suit, wrongly and blindly decided to follow the recommendations of misguided environmental groups rather than science. We strongly urge the Marine Stewardship Council and retailers to reconsider their potentially devastating decisions.”
