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February 2011

    Fishermen Lobster statistics Maine

    Maine Hauls in Record 2010 Lobster Catch

    Posted on February 28, 2011
    Lobster Boat Heading to Sea

    “First Light” sets out at Dawn from Vinalhaven, ME (Source: Lobster From Maine.Com)

    Maine Caught Record 93 Million Pounds of Lobster in 2010

    The story broke on February 18, 2011 announcing that Maine Fishermen caught a record 93 million pounds of lobster in 2010.   Now that’s quite a haul!
    According to a report from the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR), more than 93 million pounds of lobster were caught in Maine’s waters during 2010. This giant lobster catch represents an estimated increase of 12 million pounds of lobster from the previous 2009 record of 81 million pounds.

    Abundant supply of fresh, first quality lobster

    What that meant for lobster gourmets across the country was an abundant supply of fresh, first quality lobster.  From coast to coast, the American seafood eating public enjoyed  America’s favorite comfort food.  As for bragging rights, ask anyone from Maine, and they will quickly tell you the best lobster in the world come from their rocky seashores.

    Who is actually out there making the catch?

    All last season  more than 4,260 licensed commercial lobster fishermen went to sea each day filling their boats with lobster.  The value of the boat catch for the year was up to nearly $310 million, much better than in 2009.

    According to Department of Marine Resources (DMR) officials, the large catch was a definite spur to the local fishing village economies, especially with the price of fuel and bait being higher than average.  Local officials said the last three years have been slow so a good lobster catch spurs all the related businesses, including trap builders, truck dealers, bait dealers, boat yards and others.

    The lobster season is year round, but during the winter only a few hundred boats go out on a regular basis, according to lobster wholesalers  that buy from the fishermen.   This means much of catch is stockpiled in large, natural salt water lobster pounds.  Which is why lobster lovers can enjoy baking and steaming  lobster year round.  Fresh Maine lobster can be ordered online in the winter, spring, summer and fall and shipped overnight anywhere in the country.

    U.S. lobster landings come from Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

    Lobster accounts for more than 70 percent of the value of all marine species harvested in Maine. More than 90 percent of U.S. lobster landings come from Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

    © Wayne Howe 2011