Maine’s lobster catch exceeded 100 million pounds for the first time ever last year, according to preliminary figures released by the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) on Tuesday.
If it stands, the 2011 haul will top the 2010 record of 94.7 million pounds valued at more than USD 313 million.
“While we believe this figure to be accurate, it is preliminary. The department will continue to collect reports from delinquent dealers and audit all information submitted by reporting Maine lobster dealers,” said Patrick Keliher, Maine’s fisheries commissioner. “Once this final information is compiled, DMR will release this information in late February as it historically does in advance of the annual Maine Fishermen’s Forum.”
Lobster represents around 70 percent of Maine’s seafood catch, in terms of value.
