Fishermen in Maine landed a little over 110.8 million pounds (50,258 metric tons – MT) of lobster last year, down 16 percent from 2016 and the lowest level since 2011, but the overall value of almost USD 433.8 million (EUR 352.1 million) represented the fourth-highest landed total achieved by the iconic fishery, confirmed the state Department of Marine Resources.
These fishers, who historically catch around 80 percent of America’s lobsters, also earned slightly less for their catch in 2017, with their average earnings down from USD 4.08 (EUR 3.31) per pound in 2016 to USD 3.91 (EUR 3.17) last year.
When accounting for bonuses paid to harvesters by 15 of 20 co-ops, the overall landed value of lobster was USD 450.8 million (EUR 366 million), said the department.
Patrick Keliher, commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources, said the decline in lobster landings was by no means "a signal that the sky is falling," but that it does highlight the need to make sure management measures adapt to change.
“This is true for all fisheries. It is the best way to ensure resilience of our marine resources and opportunity for future generations,” he said.
Maine’s combined fisheries, which also include species such as scallops, clams, and herring, were worth USD 569 million (EUR 461.9 million) last year, also the fourth-highest value on record.
