Lobster Industry Survey Results Now Available

Dear Lobster Industry Member:

As many of you know, this summer, the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) and the Lobster Advisory Council (LAC) conducted a survey of lobster harvesters and dealers to collect input on Maine’s lobster resource and fishery. The survey was developed by a sub-committee of the Lobster Advisory Council.

DMR has analyzed the results of the survey and will be presenting them during upcoming Zone Council meetings and during ongoing conversations about the future of the Maine lobster fishery.

Survey results are available on DMR’s website, displayed as an interactive dashboard that allows visitors to filter the data based on several factors including respondent age, zone, and license type.

The interactive dashboard of the survey results is available here.

These results will inform DMR’s discussions at the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). You may recall that in May this year ASMFC’s Lobster Management Board voted to repeal all gauge and escape vent size measures scheduled for implementation. ASMFC also asked all Gulf of Maine states to work with their industry in developing management strategies to ensure the long-term health of the resource.

DMR will use the results of this survey to document the concerns and priorities of the Maine lobster fleet.

We’re grateful for the participation of industry members in this survey. Presentations at upcoming zone council meetings will provide details, insights, and an opportunity for industry to ask questions and discuss results with DMR staff.

Survey highlights include:

  • 29 percent of industry members, both harvesters and dealers, responded to the survey.
  • Of the 1,366 respondents, 1,300 were harvesters and 66 were dealers.
  • DMR received responses from all seven zones.  

Survey questions covered the perception of industry about the lobster resource. Respondents provided important observations on the stability of the resource, changes in the number of lobsters at different life stages, profits, and challenges the resource and the fishery are facing.

Respondents also provided valuable feedback on acceptable conservation measures to protect the fishery and their concerns about future whale regulations.

Industry participants also share insights about their understanding of regulatory changes, their level of participation in meetings that provide information on those issues, and their preferred method of receiving information.

Respondents shared their level of optimism about the future of Maine’s lobster industry and whether they expect the next generation to carry on the tradition of lobster fishing.

As noted above, the dashboard of survey results is available here.

If you are unable to attend an upcoming zone council meeting and have questions about the survey or dashboard, please contact Lorraine Morris at Lorraine.Morris@maine.gov

Below is a list of the upcoming Zone Council meetings. Follow the links for information on each meeting:

Sincerely,
Carl J. Wilson
Commissioner, Maine Department of Marine Resources