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Supreme Court Rejects Lobsterman Challenge to Maine GPS Rules

By Drooid · Oct 11, 2026, 3:54 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Supreme Court declined to hear lobsterman Frank Thompson's challenge to Maine GPS tracking rule.
First Circuit affirmed that the mandatory tracker does not violate the Fourth Amendment.
About 1,200 licensed Maine lobstermen must carry devices that log location each minute.
The devices also record each boat’s position every six hours while docked.
Maine DMR Commissioner Carl Wilson said the data is vital for fishery sustainability.

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Story summary

Supreme Court declined to hear lobsterman Frank Thompson's challenge to Maine GPS tracking rule.
First Circuit affirmed that the mandatory tracker does not violate the Fourth Amendment.
About 1,200 licensed Maine lobstermen must carry devices that log location each minute.
The devices also record each boat’s position every six hours while docked.
Maine DMR Commissioner Carl Wilson said the data is vital for fishery sustainability.