A decline in lobster catch due to brutally chilly temperatures this season could have the worth tag of lobster rolls going up.
PORTLAND, Maine – Maine’s lobster trade is going through mounting strain after a harsh winter lowered fishing exercise, slowed catches and added to rising prices throughout the sector.
The state, the biggest lobster producer within the U.S., recorded its fourth consecutive annual decline in complete catch, in keeping with the Maine Division of Marine Sources.
A key driver was fewer days on the water. Maine lobster harvesters took greater than 21,000 fewer fishing journeys in 2025 than in 2024, the company mentioned. Complete landings fell to only over 78 million kilos, the bottom stage since 2008.
“It began in December, and in December you often get to fish a number of days, and we did not get to fish,” mentioned lobsterman Greg Turner.
Turner, who has labored on a ship since childhood, mentioned crews had been solely capable of fish about half as many days as regular throughout peak winter months.
“If it is zero out, and it is blowing destructive 25, you’ll be able to’t go as a result of it is simply – if one thing occurred – you would be accomplished. You’d die on the market, in all probability,” mentioned Turner.
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Turner’s boat, Deborah & Megan II. (Kailey Schuyler / Fox Information)
Colder temperatures additionally affected lobster habits, additional limiting catches.
“It makes the lobsters decelerate and cease crawling faster, as a result of when it will get chilly, they do not need to eat,” mentioned Turner.
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The winter circumstances have compounded present monetary pressures on the trade, together with inflation, tariffs and shifting market dynamics.
One method to get a deal on lobster is to purchase straight from fishermen. (Kailey Schuyler / Fox Information)
Maine Division of Marine Sources Commissioner Carl Wilson wrote that inflation and market uncertainty in 2025 challenged fishermen’s backside strains. He added {that a} late molt restricted entry to new shell lobsters throughout summer season, prompting some harvesters to scale back journeys.
Regardless of the challenges, Maine’s business harvesters generated greater than $600 million in 2025, marking the 14th straight yr earnings exceeded $500 million. Nevertheless, fishermen say larger revenues haven’t translated into stronger income on the dock.
“Belief me, we’re not getting it, we’re not getting it. However I imply, every thing’s gone up for us – the worth to purchase it, to move it, cook dinner it, put together it, that should all be gone up too. It is simply the world that we dwell in now,” mentioned Turner.
The typical boat value remained comparatively robust at $5.85 per pound, however trade advocates say larger dock costs are wanted to maintain fishermen.
“We need to see a better value on the dock. That is what is going on to go on to your fishermen and, hopefully, preserve them fishing as a result of they seem to be a actually, actually necessary a part of our group,” mentioned Alexa Dayton, government director on the Maine Middle for Coastal Fisheries.
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In 2025, the boat value remained robust at $5.85. (Fox Information / Fox Information)
Dayton is at the moment conducting a value survey of a number of hundred lobstermen and mentioned early responses spotlight how considerably fishing time dropped this winter.
“They ideally need to be out, you recognize, 15 days in a month. This yr they’re all the way down to about 5 days,” mentioned Dayton.
She additionally pointed to uneven ocean circumstances throughout the state. Waters in Down East Maine, from Stonington to Machias, have been considerably colder than common, notably on the ocean ground, whereas elements of the western Gulf of Maine have seen comparatively hotter circumstances.
“There’s such a factor as too chilly for them,” Dayton mentioned, referring to lobsters’ temperature vary.
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Rising enter prices are including additional pressure. Dayton mentioned bait costs have surged dramatically since her final survey in 2010.
“I imply it is like 350% will increase. It was sort of a factor you did not actually fear a lot about. Now it is an actual driver on the finish of the day, what’s left in your pocket,” she mentioned.
The monetary strain is extending past the docks into coastal economies. Dayton mentioned many communities rely closely on fishing earnings.
“However the stress of creating a residing and, once more, you are kind of watching days go by with out an earnings that hurts each the fishing trade and in addition what occurs on Principal Road,” mentioned Dayton. “I imply, that is, you recognize, 80% depending on fishing for a lot of of those coastal communities, not less than that is what our survey reveals, and it trickles proper all the way down to what occurs on the grocery retailer.”
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She added that almost all Maine lobstermen function as small, unbiased companies reasonably than company entities, making them notably weak to price swings and misplaced fishing days.
“Fishermen function their very own particular person companies right here in Maine. These aren’t company house owners. I feel that makes us distinctive and particular.”
