About
Our Mission Statement
The Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association is a member-driven organization that accepts and supports the interdependence of species conservation and the members’ collective economic interests.
Our History
The Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) was established in 1963 by the fishermen, for the fishermen, and today stands as one of the leading commercial fishing industry associations in New England. Representing more than 1,800 members, the MLA is dedicated to preserving both the lobster resource and the livelihoods of those who depend on it.
From its inception, the MLA has taken a proactive role on issues impacting the lobster industry. The Association remains actively engaged in the management process at both the state and federal levels, ensuring that the voices of lobstermen are heard in critical decision-making arenas.
For more than six decades, the MLA has built a reputation as a trustworthy and respected advocate for the industry. Both the fishing community and regulatory agencies alike look to the Association as a reliable voice on issues of sustainability, management, and the future of the fishery.

A Message From Our President
Fellow Fisherman,
I know that when you decided to go lobster fishing you probably never considered that along with the problems of boats, traps, bait, price, weather and just trying to catch the little critters, that you’d also have to be concerned with insurance, federal and state regulatory actions, pollution, public relations, marketing, the economy, international developments, USGC safety requirements and any other issues which sometimes seem so far removed from a life at sea. I know I never thought it would be this complicated, but here we are and yes it is.
Besides being a fisherman, a lobsterman is also a businessman trying to earn a living. Many people ashore just don’t understand all that is involved with “going fishing” as a livelihood. On the other hand the lobsterman/businessman can no longer just leave the dock, sail out and peacefully hide from the world on some loran number line or around the leeward side of an island and hope to continue successfully his way of life.
Since its beginnings, the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association Inc. has always worked to help this states lobstermen meet the challenges they face. It has worked to conserve the resource on which the lobstermen depend. Today, it is the major voice of the Massachusetts lobster industry. Given today’s world, the lobster fisherman needs this shoreside support, this shield, this voice or in some cases, this vanguard to protect his flank or rear or to spearhead his goals as he does “his thing” which is, to go fishing.
If you are a commercial lobster fisherman or even just a supporter of the cause, shouldn’t you be a member of the MLA? As a businessman in the dead serious game of earning a living, I would think that membership in the MLA would be a must. Think about it.
Be in the mainstream of the lobster industry while you do what you really want to do ~ go fishing.
Arthur “Sooky” Sawyer
MLA, President
Board of Directors
Staff
Beth joined the MLA in 2008 and is a pro-active participant in many areas involving the commercial fishing industry with her primary focus on the commercial lobster industry. As the Executive Director for the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association Beth is the boots on the ground representative for the commercial fishermen and will always give them the shore side support needed to ensure their continued success on the water.

Tracey joined the MLA in August of 2014 as the Executive Assistant. Tracey is the primary interface in the office and is instrumental in; assisting, coordinating, planning and supporting the MLA members, updating the MLA Classifieds, processing new memberships and answering scores of questions members may have. Tracey organizes, participates, and executes Industry Trade shows, festivals, and public relations events throughout the Commonwealth. Tracey is also the Program Coordinator for the Lobster Foundation of Massachusetts. In this role Tracey processes state and federal grant applications. Tracey is an enthusiastic team player with notable customer service and public relations.

Julia joined the MLA in August of 2024 as the Administrative Director. Julia works closely with the Executive Director (ED) on the day-to-day business of running the MLA and the current issues the MLA is working on. Additionally, the Administrative Director will be intertwined with all the companies under the MLA to support, implement, and back up staff whenever needed. These companies include but are not limited to: Fishermen Services (FISH), Lobster Foundation of Massachusetts (LFoM) and, the MLA Non-Profit Boat Protection Corporation (MLANPBPC). Lastly, this role will aid in bringing the MLA image up-to-speed with the modern world of digital advertising and technology.
