Despite a slow start to the lobster season, the U.S. state of Maine had its second-best year ever in terms of fishery value.
Maine’s various fisheries brought in a total of USD 673.9 million (EUR 595.5 million) in 2019, an increase of USD 26 million (EUR 22.9 million) over 2018, according to data released by the Maine Department of Marine Resources. Of that total, lobster makes by far the largest portion of the value – this year the value topped USD 485 million (EUR 428.5 million), the fourth-best year ever in terms of value.
“Maine continues to produce the highest quality seafood in the world,” Maine Governor Janet T. Mills said of the totals. “The exceptional value of our marine resources is the result of a steadfast commitment to responsible, sustainable harvesting, innovative cultivation practices, and delivery of the highest-quality product.”
That value made lobster, for the fifth year in a row, the most valuable fishery in the nation.
“Our lobster industry continues to be one of the most important economic engines in Maine and its reputation is worldwide,” Mills said.
That value came even as landings dropped 17 percent from 2018 to 100.7 million pounds. Early on in the season, landings were low, but a strong late-season buoyed totals and a 20 percent increase in per-pound value contributed to the high earnings from the fishery.
“Even with a slow start last year, Maine’s lobster industry ended the year strong, with landings picking up significantly in the last few months,” Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher said. “There are many factors in the marine environment that impact landings. Last year, the cold spring caused a delay in the molt which is when lobsters shed their shells and the bulk of the harvest occurs. Fishermen held off until the shed happened, so fishing was slow early but picked up later in the year.”
The second-most valuable fishery in the state was the relatively new elver fishery, which has only become an economic powerhouse within the last decade. The fishery brought in USD 20.1 million (EUR 17.7 million), largely thanks to the price of the small eels once again topping USD 2,000 (EUR 1,765) per-pound.
The state’s third-most valuable species was softshell claims. Clammers raked in 623,000 pounds more in 2019 than they did in 2018, generating more than USD 18 million (EUR 15.8 million). That increase in value was also buoyed by a 30 percent increase in per-pound value from USD 1.80 to USD 2.34 (EUR 1.59 to EUR 2.06).
The third most-valuable was oysters, with a total value of over USD 7.6 million (EUR 6.7 million), a jump of USD 336,000 (EUR 323,000) over 2018. That was coupled with an increase in harvests of nearly 461,000 pounds.
Rounding out the top six were blood worms – used as bait for species including striped bass – at USD 6.3 million (EUR 5.5 million) and sea urchins, worth USD 5.8 million (EUR 5.1 million).
“Maine’s fishing and aquaculture industries have again shown what hard work, and a commitment to sustainable, responsible harvesting and cultivation practices can accomplish,” Keliher said. “But Maine continues to face challenges associated with climate change, federal whale regulations, and working waterfront access. These are challenges that the Mills administration will continue to work on to make sure Maine’s marine economy remains strong for future generations.”
Photo courtesy of Rabbitti/Shutterstock
