A historic $495M year for Maine’s lobster industry
The year 2015 was another profitable one for the state’s lobster industry, as the value of Maine’s lobster haul jumped by $37 million to $495 million.
In 2014, the value of the state’s lobster industry reached $458 million. This is the sixth year in a row that the estimated value of Maine’s lobster has reached an all-time high, according to the Maine Department of Marine Resources.
According to the Bangor Daily News, for the first time since 2007, Maine lobstermen were paid on average more than $4 per pound for the crustacean. After factoring in bonuses paid to harvesters as reported by 11 of the state’s 19 lobster co-ops, the overall landed value of the Maine’ lobster industry reached $510.7 million.
Last year also marked the fourth year in a row in and the fourth year ever in which the Maine lobster harvesters landed 120 million pounds.
“Maine’s lobster fishery continues to be a major engine for our coastal economy,” Patrick Keliher, commissioner for Maine Department of Marine Resources, said in a prepared statement. “This past year saw a continuation of steady and historic lobster landings throughout the season. The increase in value reflects growing demand for Maine lobster.”
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