Lawmakers and a federal appeals court last year defeated a federal plan to save endangered whales by eradicating New England’s lobster industry. With those plans undone, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is crafting a workaround scheme to regulate lobstermen out of the fishery.

Recent years have been brutal going for lobstermen, such that the survival of our trade is highly uncertain. Lobstermen are at once negotiating higher fuel costs, higher bait costs, higher shipping costs, and an agitation campaign from dark money nonprofits trained on major buyers of Maine lobster products. NOAA’s new regulatory plan is poised to decimate our inventory.

NOAA’s new plan – a rule promulgated under the Marine Mammal Protection Act – would expand an existing restricted area, where lobster fishing is banned for three months each year. The scope of the expansion is unclear as of this writing, but any expansion is unwelcome as a matter of precedent and a practical business matter.

As with the previous plan, NOAA is allegedly crafting its new rule to protect the endangered north Atlantic right whale. The agency maintains vessel strikes and entanglements with lobster gear are killing these marine mammals.

It’s important to emphasize that there is no evidence lobstermen are harming right whales. In fact, the late surge in deaths across whale species tracks construction and survey activity in support of offshore wind platforms. I am not sure offshore wind development is to blame. But the Biden administration is quietly studying that possibility, even as it pins blame on the lobster industry.

The Biden administration has not demonstrated – because it cannot – that lobstermen harm right whales. But even if it could make that showing, this latest proposal would still be unjustified. The people have first claim on the government’s protection. Attacking American workers, and the communities who depend on us, to the alleged benefit of endangered whales is a betrayal of the government’s duty of care to its citizens.

These events demonstrate the extent to which agency process, bad science, and complex statutory schemes obfuscate the practical needs and interests of working people. Much is in mind for NOAA Fisheries – rule makings, biological opinions, the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Remote coastal communities who depend on a trade to survive do not figure in interagency arcana.

I can’t predict what lobstermen and maritime workers will do for work in the future, but I know that the demise of our lobster fishery will be a social and economic catastrophe.

I used to work the Downeast fishery, which spans Washington and Hankcock counties. Washington is the poorest county in Maine, with a poverty rate near 20%. The three largest sources of income in that county come from government assistance, the Woodland Pulp paper mill, and lobstering. Four of Maine’s top-ten earning ports are in the Downeast fishery. Lobster dollars from these ports keep the service and retail economies of this depressed region moving. Local banks finance home, boat, and business loans for lobstermen. This remote, sparsely populated area – Québec City is closer than Boston – has no viable economic alternatives without the lobster industry.

Lobstering supports 15,000 jobs through the maritime supply chain and generates $1 billion annually for the local economy. Don’t let the macros obscure this essential fact – our lobster fleet is composed exclusively of independent operators. Every Maine lobster product that reaches your plate was plucked from the sea by a captain who owns his own vessel, or a sternman that he employs.

There are no corporate players in the Gulf of Maine. Lobstering is a heritage passed down within families over many generations.

For this reason, lobstermen don’t have the resources to retain lobbyists or trade associations to promote our interests in Washington. We’re barely able to advocate on our own. Laying traps, harvesting lobster, or keeping our vessels ship-shape has near-exclusive claim on our time. It’s always jarring when fisheries regulators remind us to make townhall meetings. It’s hard to cut away for a meeting while at sea.

The invitation is insincere in all events. It’s a rare day when NOAA listens to us.

Dustin Delano, a fourth-generation lobstermen, is chief operating officer of the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association

Bananas are a versatile fruit that can be eaten right off the bunch or utilized in a bevy of recipes. Characterized as the first “superfood” endorsed by the American Medical Association in the early 20th century, bananas contain potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6, fiber, and manganese. A banana’s flavor starts out as mildly sweet and gains more sweetness as it ripens. Very ripe bananas, or those that have brown speckled skins, don’t need to be discarded. They make perfect additions to baked goods, notably banana bread.

Before tossing out brown bananas, consider this recipe for “Chocolate Chip Banana Bread” courtesy of Jenna Barnard and the Butternut Bakery Blog.

TAG GOES HERE

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups ripe and mashed banana (3 to 4 medium bananas), measured

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup 2% Greek yogurt (sour cream also works)

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup mini chocolate chips, plus a handful more for sprinkling on top

DIRECTIONS

Preheat your oven to 325 F and grease and line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment paper. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, mix together the melted butter and sugars until you reach a paste-like consistency. This may take some vigorous whisking for a minute or two. You can either use a whisk or an electric mixer with the paddle attachment. Add in your mashed bananas followed by the eggs, yogurt and vanilla.

Once all of your wet ingredients are mixed together, fold in the dry ingredients. Then, fold in the chocolate chips. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top if you like. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Let it cool completely before removing from the pan. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.

From silly to spooky, kooky to cultural, our lineup of Halloween activities is all over the map, literally — harvest season road trips and T rides around town can transport you to the magic of All Hallows’ Eve. From theater to visual art, crafts to cinema, music and dog parades, there’s a lot to be thrilled about during the season of thrills.

“The Rocky Horror Show”

Now through Nov. 26, Central Square Theater, Cambridge

This is the ultimate Halloween-ish horror musical comedy satire. It may also be the only Halloween-ish horror musical comedy satire. Mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter goes all Dr. Frankenstein looking to create a hunk. Hyjinks and songs about sexual repression ensue. Centralsquaretheater.org

Pumpkintown

Now through Oct. 31, East Hampton, CT

Looking for a wholesome Halloween? It’s no tricks and all treats at Pumpkintown. A family-friendly outing featuring a village of over 100 Pumpkinhead people and their pets. Come to see these whimsical Pumpkinheads, stay for the apple cider donuts. pumpkintown.com

Doggone Halloween

Oct. 28, Downtown Crossing

People that look like their dogs are great. But people that dress like their dogs are even better. Boston’s biggest annual Halloween-themed pet costume returns with this contest for pups and people. Humans don’t have to dress up but there is a Best Human & Dog Duo prize. Other categories include Best Costume, Spookiest Costume and Cutest Costume. Like your dog in just a leash and collar? Show up for the pet-focused vendor village. Downtownboston.org

Day of the Dead

Oct. 29 – Nov. 2, ICA Watershed

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the largest Day of the Dead festival and parade in New England, the Verónica Robles Cultural Center and the Institute of Contemporary Art team up for a unique exhibition of Day of the Dead altars. A score of local artists come together for an immersive Altar Exhibition at the ICA Watershed. icaboston.org

5th Annual Silent Halloween Skate Party

Oct. 29, Chez Vous Roller Skating Rink

At a silent skate… no one can hear you scream!!! Of course, that’s because you’ll be wearing headphones. This rolling party will feature three channels of music provided by DJ MannyReese, DJ Jammin, DJ Dex, DJ Big Papa and others. Soul Food, beer, wine and both skate and costume contests. facebook.com/bostonswerve

“The Howling”

Oct. 30, Brattle Theater, Cambridge

A free screening of a horror classic – this one has it all from a cult to the occult, sex to serial killers, and, of course, werewolves. Beyond the bonus of being free, the film comes with a discussion lead by Brandon Callender, an assistant professor of English at Brandeis University who specializes in Black queer and Black horror studies. Brattlefilm.org

Skalloween

Oct. 31, The Rockwell, Somerville

If your two favorite dances are skanking and the monster mash, we have a party for you. Dance the night away to all your favorite ska classics with locals putting on musical costumes. The New Limits as the Pietasters, Sorry, Ma! as The Clash, Battlemode as Gorillaz, and Pink Slip as No Doubt — “Spiderwebs” is a perfect Halloween song already. Therockwell.org

“Young Frankenstein” & “An American Werewolf in London”

Oct. 31, Coolidge Corner Theatre

Scary funny and scary scary. Epic and outrageous twists on Frankenstein and the Wolfman come to life from directors Mel Brooks and John Landis. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll never think about “Bad Moon Rising” the same way again. Wear a costume for a chance to win a door prize! Coolidge.org

 

A Halloween getaway to Pumpkintown in East Hampton, CT offers a family friendly take on the holiday. (Photo pumpkintown.com)

 

 

The current crisis sparked by Hamas’ surprise terrorist attack on Israel has roiled college campuses far and wide. Essentially, two camps have emerged within our student bodies – those sympathetic to Israel, and those sympathetic to the plight of the Palestinians in Gaza. This is a time that calls for exceptional wisdom and sound judgment by college administrators, and yet these two commodities seem in rather short supply.

At Harvard University in Cambridge, newly installed President Claudine Gay, after first declining to take a public stance, concluded that she should issue a statement when Palestinian sympathizers within the student body outrageously excused the slaughter by Hamas, instead choosing to highlight the righteousness of their political cause. Gay’s statement, in relevant part, said: “As the events of recent days continue to reverberate, let there be no doubt that I condemn the terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hamas.” She noted that regardless of one’s political views, the slaughter of innocents is indefensible. She noted that no student group “speaks for Harvard University or its leadership.”

And therein lies the rub. Gay was speaking for the institution, rather than for herself. It is highly dubious that an educational institution should take official positions on any political or geopolitical matter, particularly one as divisive as the bitter decades-long battle between Israel and the Palestinians. If a university is truly going to be home to a wide and diverse assortment of views on myriad political, social, religious, and intellectual issues of the day, it has to be made clear to students, faculty members, alumni and the general public that all members of the academic community must feel free to opine, to express minority-held and even extremist views. There can be no “official” position on any such subject, at Harvard or elsewhere.

The duty of college administrators in these fraught situations is to maintain an atmosphere in which all sides feel free and safe to express their views, even if many on campus (or the administrators themselves) are highly offended and outraged. Many universities and colleges have seen physical violence and assaults break out due to students in both camps’ feeling that they are unable to discuss their differences, which is completely contradictory to the goals of the liberal arts. It thus falls on administrators’ shoulders to bridge this divide.

At Tufts University in Medford, the same issue arose. Pro-Palestinian students issued what were reasonably described as “obscene” comments supporting Hamas issued by the Tufts Students for Justice in Palestine group. In response, a university spokesperson issued a statement: “Dismissing the loss of Israeli lives in the recent surprise attacks cannot be condoned. We deeply mourn those losses and vehemently disagree with the SJP statement. No student groups speak for the University.”

However, the Tufts statement completely misses the threshold question: Should anyone speak for Tufts on such highly contentious political matters? Indeed, should a university even have a political position? If Tufts, a liberal arts university, is to remain a venue where all sides feel free to express even seemingly outrageous minority-held views, then the administration’s actions seem counter to this vital mission.

Our society has myriad venues through which citizens and non-citizens alike are able to express their opinions: Newspapers, radio, television, street-corner orations, rallies and, indeed, for citizens, the ballot box. However, there is one precious location where all views may be expressed publicly without those who hold minority views fearing the consequences of provoking official condemnation or even hints at official discipline: Our liberal arts campuses.

Harvey Silverglate is a criminal defense and civil liberties lawyer with offices in Cambridge and Boston.