Maine Gov. John Baldacci on Friday signed an executive order establishing a task force to examine Maine's struggling lobster industry and make recommendations on how to ensure its long-term viability.
Maine lobstermen and dealers are suffering from a sharp plunge in prices brought on by a drop in demand amid the world's economic turmoil.
The governor said a thorough review is necessary. The task force will be charged with expanding and diversifying markets for live and processed lobster, increasing product quality and promoting the Maine lobster brand. The panel will report back to the governor by April 15, 2009.
Linda Bean, president of Port Clyde Lobster, told the Bangor Daily News that the Maine lobster industry should focus on processing its own lobsters instead of relying on Canadian companies, many of which were hard hit by the collapse of Icelandic banks that provide financial services for them.
