lobster harvest

Pat Keliher, the outgoing commissioner of Maine's Department of Marine Resources, said Tuesday that the tariffs could trigger major cuts in what lobstermen are paid for their catch.

In contrast, average annual prices at the dock were the second highest ever recorded in 2024. Prices paid to lobstermen in 2024 averaged $6.14 per pound.

The gauge and trap vent changes — initially designed to preserve the young lobster population — were the subject of years of debate. Fisheries managers along the East Coast agreed Tuesday morning to repeal the measures altogether.

Before announcing the change, Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher had a heated exchange with fishermen strongly opposed to rules that federal regulators say are needed to protect stocks of younger, smaller lobster.

The population dip comes faster than fisheries managers anticipated and will eventually trigger changes for fishermen to preserve the spawning stock.

New measures recently approved by a commission of East Coast fisheries regulators could change the minimum and maximum catch sizes for lobster in certain Maine waters.

PORTLAND, Maine — It's been a slow lobster season so far in Maine, but the lack of crustaceans isn't translating into high prices for consumers, and…

Maine's lobster harvest dropped more than 15 percent last year, according to data just released by the state Department of Marine Resources. But even if…