By Patrick Whittle, The Associated Press
BANGOR, Maine - Maine fishermen say baby eel prices ballooned to record levels this year because of a slow season that resulted in smaller catch.
Fishermen and dealers say price per pound sometimes reached $2,500 or more due to low supply. The state's highest recorded price for elvers was $1,868.73 per pound in 2012. Last year it was $874.52.
Dealers sell the elvers overseas as seed stock for Asian aquaculture companies that raise them to maturity and sell them as food.
This year's season began March 22 and ended on Sunday. Maine fishermen faced a maximum catch of 9,688 pounds this year, and state regulators say they didn't reach it. Fishermen blame the cold winter in part for the lower catch.
South Carolina is the only other state with a commercial elver fishery.