Lobster prices spark scrutiny
The Maine Attorney General's office has launched what appears to be an investigation into price-fixing among lobster dealers in Washington County, according to The Working Waterfront.
Three lobster dealers in Washington County confirmed they have received summonses from the Attorney General's office that request all documents and communication pertaining to their purchase of lobster or shellfish since June 2008, the newspaper reported. The three dealers spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Several lobster dealers in other parts of the state were contacted, but it appears the summonses were limited to Washington County. The Attorney General's office would neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation into price fixing among Down East lobster dealers. The summonses requested the documents were to be produced by Nov. 23, the newspaper reported.
Lobstermen this year have struggled with low prices they receive for their catch. One of the three dealers told The Working Waterfront that he spoke with Assistant Attorney General Christina Moylan, who signed the summonses, and gathered that, "Enough fishermen in this area complained about the price: supposedly we're not paying enough or whatever."
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