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October 9, 2015

Maine lobstermen report high prices for catch

Even with a strong year for lobster landings, Maine fishermen are reportedly receiving the highest prices for their haul since 2007.

The Portland Press Herald reported that lobstermen are getting paid around $4 a pound for lobsters, up from an average price of $3.69 last year and as much as 50 cents to $1 more than they were receiving at times last year.

Last year, Maine fisherman hauled in nearly 124 million pounds of lobster, according to the Maine Department of Marine Resources. Data isn’t available for the 2015 season, but industry officials told the paper that this year’s harvest will likely be similar to last year’s.

But thanks to increased demand for processed lobster meat and a decline in the supply of Canadian lobsters available for processors this spring, Maine lobstermen are receiving high prices for their catch, the paper reported.

However, the higher wholesale prices have made for thinner margins for dealers. The demand has driven up prices for all lobsters, but it’s difficult to pass on the higher cost to people buying live lobsters, dealers told the paper.

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