Latest news with #PatrickKeliher
CBC
28-02-2025
- Business
- CBC
U.S. lobster catch drops as crustaceans migrate to colder Canadian waters
The U.S. lobster industry's catch keeps sliding as fishermen contend with the northward migration of the valuable crustaceans. The industry is based mostly in Maine, where lobsters are both a cultural signifier and the backbone of the coastal economy. The state's haul of lobsters has declined every year from 2021, when it was nearly 50 million kilograms, to 2023, when it was less than 44 million kilograms. That decline extended into 2024, when the haul was about 39 million kilograms, according to data released by state regulators on Friday. That is the lowest figure in 15 years. A series of major storms that damaged waterfront communities and disrupted fisheries was a key factor in the reduced catch, officials said. Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, praised the industry for its perseverance. "During a year shaped by unprecedented storms and damage to our working waterfronts, Maine's commercial fishermen, aquaculturists, and seafood dealers once again delivered a major economic benefit to our state," she said. Last year's catch was still historically high, as Maine fishermen never exceeded 36 million kilograms prior to 2009. Hauls in the 2000s were typically between 23 million and 31 million kilograms. Hauls in the mid-2010s were routinely above 54 million kilograms. The fishery remained economically strong in 2024. Maine fishermen took home more than $528 million at the docks, and that was the highest total since 2021, state officials said. Demand for the product, one of the most expensive seafoods, remained high, and the price per pound was one of the highest on record. The state is meeting the challenges of climate change head-on, said Patrick Keliher, the commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources. The governor has secured funding to "help rebuild damaged coastal infrastructure, make it more resilient to the effects of climate change, and protect critically important waterfront access for those who make a living on the water," he said. But numerous environmental and economic challenges threaten the industry's future. One of the biggest is the decline in the number of baby lobsters settling off New England. The young lobsters have to take shelter and grow to legal size to sustain the future of the fishery. Scientists have said the lobster population is migrating north to cooler habitats as oceans warm. The Maine lobster industry is also linked to Canada's seafood industry and could be disrupted by new tariffs. Canadian fishermen harvest the same species of lobster as American fishermen, and much of the processing capacity for the seafood is in Canada. Tariffs are likely to increase prices on both sides of the border, members of the industry have said. Another major challenge is the possibility of new rules to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, which are vulnerable to entanglement in commercial fishing gear. Fishing groups have engaged in protracted court cases against the government over stricter fishing rules. Other states, including Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, also have lobster fishing industries, but Maine's is by far the largest, and the size of the Maine harvest gives a firm indication of the health of the American lobster industry at large. Maine accounted for about 78 per cent of the country's total lobster haul in 2023.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US lobster catch drops as crustaceans migrate to colder Canadian waters
SCARBOROUGH, Maine (AP) — The U.S. lobster industry's catch keeps sliding as fishermen contend with the northward migration of the valuable crustaceans. The industry is based mostly in Maine, where lobsters are both a cultural signifier and the backbone of the coastal economy. The state's haul of lobsters has declined every year from 2021, when it was nearly 111 million pounds, to 2023, when it was less than 97 million pounds. That decline extended into 2024, when the haul was about 86.1 million pounds, according to data released by state regulators on Friday. That is the lowest figure in 15 years. A series of major storms that damaged waterfront communities and disrupted fisheries was a key factor in the reduced catch, officials said. Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, praised the industry for its perseverance. 'During a year shaped by unprecedented storms and damage to our working waterfronts, Maine's commercial fishermen, aquaculturists, and seafood dealers once again delivered a major economic benefit to our state,' she said. Last year's catch was still historically high, as Maine fishermen never exceeded 80 million pounds prior to 2009. Hauls in the 2000s were typically between 50 million and 80 million pounds. Hauls in the mid-2010s were routinely above 120 million pounds. The fishery remained economically strong in 2024. Maine fishermen took home more than $528 million at the docks, and that was the highest total since 2021, state officials said. Demand for the product, one of the most expensive seafoods, remained high, and the price per pound was one of the highest on record. The state is meeting the challenges of climate change head-on, said Patrick Keliher, the commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources. The governor has secured funding to "help rebuild damaged coastal infrastructure, make it more resilient to the effects of climate change, and protect critically important waterfront access for those who make a living on the water,' he said. But numerous environmental and economic challenges threaten the industry's future. One of the biggest is the decline in the number of baby lobsters settling off New England. The young lobsters have to take shelter and grow to legal size to sustain the future of the fishery. Scientists have said the lobster population is migrating north to cooler habitats as oceans warm. The Maine lobster industry is also linked to Canada's seafood industry and could be disrupted by new tariffs. Canadian fishermen harvest the same species of lobster as American fishermen, and much of the processing capacity for the seafood is in Canada. Tariffs are likely to increase prices on both sides of the border, members of the industry have said. Another major challenge is the possibility of new rules to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, which are vulnerable to entanglement in commercial fishing gear. Fishing groups have engaged in protracted court cases against the government over stricter fishing rules. Other states, including Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, also have lobster fishing industries, but Maine's is by far the largest, and the size of the Maine harvest gives a firm indication of the health of the American lobster industry at large. Maine accounted for about 78% of the country's total lobster haul in 2023.
The Independent
28-02-2025
- Business
- The Independent
US lobster catch drops as crustaceans migrate to colder Canadian waters
The U.S. lobster industry's catch keeps sliding as fishermen contend with the northward migration of the valuable crustaceans. The industry is based mostly in Maine, where lobsters are both a cultural signifier and the backbone of the coastal economy. The state's haul of lobsters has declined every year from 2021, when it was nearly 111 million pounds, to 2023, when it was less than 97 million pounds. That decline extended into 2024, when the haul was about 86.1 million pounds, according to data released by state regulators on Friday. That is the lowest figure in 15 years. A series of major storms that damaged waterfront communities and disrupted fisheries was a key factor in the reduced catch, officials said. Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, praised the industry for its perseverance. 'During a year shaped by unprecedented storms and damage to our working waterfronts, Maine's commercial fishermen, aquaculturists, and seafood dealers once again delivered a major economic benefit to our state,' she said. Last year's catch was still historically high, as Maine fishermen never exceeded 80 million pounds prior to 2009. Hauls in the 2000s were typically between 50 million and 80 million pounds. Hauls in the mid-2010s were routinely above 120 million pounds. The fishery remained economically strong in 2024. Maine fishermen took home more than $528 million at the docks, and that was the highest total since 2021, state officials said. Demand for the product, one of the most expensive seafoods, remained high, and the price per pound was one of the highest on record. The state is meeting the challenges of climate change head-on, said Patrick Keliher, the commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources. The governor has secured funding to "help rebuild damaged coastal infrastructure, make it more resilient to the effects of climate change, and protect critically important waterfront access for those who make a living on the water,' he said. But numerous environmental and economic challenges threaten the industry's future. One of the biggest is the decline in the number of baby lobsters settling off New England. The young lobsters have to take shelter and grow to legal size to sustain the future of the fishery. Scientists have said the lobster population is migrating north to cooler habitats as oceans warm. The Maine lobster industry is also linked to Canada's seafood industry and could be disrupted by new tariffs. Canadian fishermen harvest the same species of lobster as American fishermen, and much of the processing capacity for the seafood is in Canada. Tariffs are likely to increase prices on both sides of the border, members of the industry have said. Another major challenge is the possibility of new rules to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, which are vulnerable to entanglement in commercial fishing gear. Fishing groups have engaged in protracted court cases against the government over stricter fishing rules. Other states, including Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, also have lobster fishing industries, but Maine's is by far the largest, and the size of the Maine harvest gives a firm indication of the health of the American lobster industry at large. Maine accounted for about 78% of the country's total lobster haul in 2023.
Associated Press
28-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
US lobster catch drops as crustaceans migrate to colder Canadian waters
SCARBOROUGH, Maine (AP) — The U.S. lobster industry's catch keeps sliding as fishermen contend with the northward migration of the valuable crustaceans. The industry is based mostly in Maine, where lobsters are both a cultural signifier and the backbone of the coastal economy. The state's haul of lobsters has declined every year from 2021, when it was nearly 111 million pounds, to 2023, when it was less than 97 million pounds. That decline extended into 2024, when the haul was about 86.1 million pounds, according to data released by state regulators on Friday. That is the lowest figure in 15 years. A series of major storms that damaged waterfront communities and disrupted fisheries was a key factor in the reduced catch, officials said. Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, praised the industry for its perseverance. 'During a year shaped by unprecedented storms and damage to our working waterfronts, Maine's commercial fishermen, aquaculturists, and seafood dealers once again delivered a major economic benefit to our state,' she said. Last year's catch was still historically high, as Maine fishermen never exceeded 80 million pounds prior to 2009. Hauls in the 2000s were typically between 50 million and 80 million pounds. Hauls in the mid-2010s were routinely above 120 million pounds. The fishery remained economically strong in 2024. Maine fishermen took home more than $528 million at the docks, and that was the highest total since 2021, state officials said. Demand for the product, one of the most expensive seafoods, remained high, and the price per pound was one of the highest on record. The state is meeting the challenges of climate change head-on, said Patrick Keliher, the commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources. The governor has secured funding to 'help rebuild damaged coastal infrastructure, make it more resilient to the effects of climate change, and protect critically important waterfront access for those who make a living on the water,' he said. But numerous environmental and economic challenges threaten the industry's future. One of the biggest is the decline in the number of baby lobsters settling off New England. The young lobsters have to take shelter and grow to legal size to sustain the future of the fishery. Scientists have said the lobster population is migrating north to cooler habitats as oceans warm. The Maine lobster industry is also linked to Canada's seafood industry and could be disrupted by new tariffs. Canadian fishermen harvest the same species of lobster as American fishermen, and much of the processing capacity for the seafood is in Canada. Tariffs are likely to increase prices on both sides of the border, members of the industry have said. Another major challenge is the possibility of new rules to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, which are vulnerable to entanglement in commercial fishing gear. Fishing groups have engaged in protracted court cases against the government over stricter fishing rules. Other states, including Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, also have lobster fishing industries, but Maine's is by far the largest, and the size of the Maine harvest gives a firm indication of the health of the American lobster industry at large. Maine accounted for about 78% of the country's total lobster haul in 2023.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Stricter lobster fishing rules scrapped after complaints from fishermen about harm to industry
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Fishing industry regulators have decided to scrap stricter new lobster fishing standards off New England in the wake of months of protest from lobster fishermen that the rules were unnecessary and would bankrupt harvesters. The regulators were planning to institute new rules this summer that increased the minimum legal harvest size for lobsters in some of the most important fishing grounds in the world. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Council, which manages the fishery, said the changes were important to preserve the future of a lobster population that has shown recent signs of decline. Many commercial fishermen adamantly opposed the changes, which would have required them to throw back previously market-ready lobsters. An arm of the commission voted on Feb. 4 to initiate a repeal of the new rules in the face of 'fervent industry concerns about the potential economic impacts' of the changes, the commission said in a statement. The elimination of the new size standards will require the fishing industry to come up with strategies to protect the lobster population, said Patrick Keliher, chair of the commission's lobster board. 'This action being considered by the board will require the Gulf of Maine lobster industry to develop management strategies to ensure the long-term health of the resource and the coastal communities that it supports," Keliher said. The size change was set to apply to the Gulf of Maine, a piece of ocean off New England that is vital to American fisheries and home to some of the world's most popular seafood species, such as lobster, haddock and clams. The commission adopted rules in 2023 that stated legal harvesting size for lobsters would become more strict if the lobster stock in the gulf showed a decline of 35%. Officials also said in 2023 that the stock declined by nearly 40% when comparing 2020-22 to 2016-18. The decline took place in an era when the Gulf of Maine is warming faster than most of the world's oceans. Scientists have said that can affect the health and reproduction of lobsters. The nation's haul of lobsters has declined in recent years, though the catch is still high compared to historic data. The catch declined about 11% from 2021 to 2023, federal data state. One of the reasons many fishermen opposed the size change was because of competitive balance with Canada, which harvests the same species. The lobster industry also 'contributes billions to New England's economy and shapes the character of the region,' said fourth generation lobsterman Dustin Delano, who is chief operation officer at New England Fishermen's Stewardship Association. 'Raising catch sizes at this time would bankrupt many lobstermen and surrender the U.S. market to foreign competitors," Delano said.
