By Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries staff
FACT: American lobster is the most valuable commercial fishery in the northeastern U.S.
How many thousands of people depend on this fishery for their livelihood?
GOOD QUESTION! (But no one knows for sure)
More information is needed on the broad socio-economic importance of
New England's lobster fishery. MLMC photo.
How many depend solely on the lobster fishery? How many are involved in other fisheries or have other jobs or businesses? How many family members do they support? Are they able to save for the future? What are the true costs of running a lobster business today?
MORE GOOD QUESTIONS! (But still no answers…)
Despite its economic importance, we currently have very little socioeconomic data available on the lobster industry. A dramatic increase in landings in the 1990’s allowed the fishery to absorb an influx of new entrants. As the number of people employed by the lobster industry increased, so did the dependence of many coastal communities upon this single marine resource.
This creates a dangerous situation for coastal communities: current lobster landings support nearly 10,000 fishing jobs throughout New England, yet we have little information to quantify communities’ dependence on the resource.
The lack of socioeconomic data for the Gulf of Maine lobster industry makes it very difficult to prepare effectively for inevitable changes within the fishery. As lobster landings and regulations change, the industry is unprepared to clearly show the magnitude lobster fishing has on the economic status of coastal communities.
A large-scale effort is currently underway to begin this important task.
Guided by an industry and management steering committee, the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries in partnership with the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, the Department of Marine Resources, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, and UMaine has created a survey designed to elicit the socioeconomic data we currently lack. This survey will be administered by Market Decisions, an independent research firm, to a random sample of lobstermen throughout Maine. Answers will be reported only in aggregate to ensure the confidentiality of all responses.
It is important that we understand and assert the true importance of the lobster industry. By doing this survey now, when the resource is healthy, we will be able to properly quantify and qualify its importance to so many communities
If you receive a call from Market Decisions, please do your part to help show the importance of lobster fishing to you and your community. If you have any questions about this survey, contact Alexa Dayton at MCCF (207) 367-2708.
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