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SCOTT JAGOW: Maine and lobsters go together like, well, Maine and lobsters. That’s why a hearing today is such a big deal. Some people want to change the way lobsters are caught. Steve Tripoli reports.

STEVE TRIPOLI: Fishermen who use nets to catch cod, haddock and other fish want to change state law. They want permission to catch lobsters in their nets. Right now lobsters can only be caught in traps.

State marine resources official David Etnier says that would open a new fishing area to lobstering, one that’s too risky.

DAVID ETNIER: It’s an extremely important brood-stock area which is, the large female lobsters that help replenish the lobster population overall.

Maine’s net fishermen are in big trouble. Lobster fishermen say that’s because they’ve ruined their fishery, while lobsters are still harvested sustainably.

Mike Crocker of a group that represents both types of fishermen expects today’s hearing to be packed.

MIKE CROCKER: It’s the controversial issue and there’s going to be impassioned people.

Enough impassioned people to move today’s discussion to the much larger civic center.

I’m Steve Tripoli for Marketplace.