Lobster represents 80 per cent of the value of fisheries in Maine. (Photo: Stock File)

Projects designed to boost lobstering in Maine

The lobster industry in Maine is taking the first steps toward a comprehensive management plan, as it was announced by the head of the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) after holding meetings with groups of lobstermen.

The DMR’s rationale behind this proposal is to be proactive given the fact that although landings have remained high, the trend may decline. In 2013 lobstermen landed 126 million pounds; a catch valued at more than USD 364 million, WCSH-TV reported.

"The real potential for change in terms of landings is coming, and we want to make sure we're prepared for it," said Pat Keliher, DMR Commissioner.

And he added that the industry can avoid the fate of other collapsed fisheries by developing a fishery management plan before it is too late.

Lobsters make up 80 per cent of the value of Maine’s fisheries, and support not only fishermen, but also boat builders, mechanics, bait sellers and local tourist industry. The economies of the northernmost counties in Maine are 90 per cent dependent on lobstering.

Lobstermen consider any future management plan would likely address what the industry refers to as latency, which are licenses that aren't being used, and traps that are tagged but not in the water. Right now, nearly a third of the 6,000 Mainers who hold licences are not actively fishing.

The DMR intends to develop a good management strategy based on how much gear is in the water.

Another step to favour this lucrative fishery in Maine has been taken through a project designed to convene scientists from the state to compete for a share of USD 11 million of NASA grant money for creating a real-time lobster distribution monitoring system.

Researchers participating in this project, which is a joint collaboration between the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) and the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Science, intend to use satellite data and observations from fishermen and researchers to create an online map showing where and when lobsters and other key marine species can be found.

The Maine mapping project has applied for USD 750,000 over three years from NASA. The final price tag is expected to be around USD 1 million.
 

Related articles: 

- Lobster closure due to mercury contamination in Maine
- Maine lobsters hit by shell-eating disease
- Maine governor supports a self-sufficient lobster industry

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