November 2008 Commercial Fisheries News - The Northeast's Fishing Newspaper for over 35 years

Lobster crisis:
Solutions will come hard

AUGUSTA, ME – The sudden and drastic drop in the lobster market prompted the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) to convene a special meeting on Oct. 15 with lobstermen and other members of the public to discuss recent global events that had contributed to the record low prices lobstermen were receiving for their catch in October.

A six-member panel explained various factors behind the price drop and fielded questions from worried lobstermen. The panel also explored possible options to alleviate the economic crisis spreading through the entire Maine lobster industry.

DMR Commissioner George Lapointe opened the meeting by denying a rumor that he intended to shut down the industry in an effort to reduce supply and thereby strengthen demand.

“Shutting down the industry isn’t what this meeting is about,” he stated. “I do not have the authority to close the industry. We are here today to look for answers, but there are not a whole lot of answers to this problem.”
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See also:

• In Stonington: Eat a lobster, save a community

• FAME, ME gov pledge state support

• US Sen. Snowe hears groundfish fears firsthand

View list of this month's selected news stories