FROM THE CROWE'S NEST

Final Nail in the Coffin

So far lobster prices are low, fuel prices are edging up, and bait is scarce, but landings and the stock look good.

All things considered, in light of the plight of ground fishermen, the lobster fishery in southern New England, and all the fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico, it could be worse.

Official recognition by the Governor’s Task Force for the need to market lobster to raise prices unfortunately coincided with the colossal collapse of the U.S. economy.

But not all economies are as bad off as ours, and one of them, China, may want to import lobster. While this prospect is still in the talking phase, the big players in the Chinese food industry who visited Hancock County in June brought possibilities.

China’s growing middle class pays a premium for lobster. The development of a Chinese market for Maine lobster could dramatically improve the price here. The Maine lobster resource could benefit from China’s market.

Luck is not what made Maine’s lobster resource what it is. The water is clean and cold, the habitat ideal, and Maine lobstermen have actively participated in the management, science and protection of their resource for years. Tradition, community, culture, family, and social network are the foundation for the commitment to the resource.

Along with lobster, the Chinese are looking at Maine for finfish aquaculture. Finfish aquaculture markets could also see significant growth if Chinese markets develop.

The U.S. government has been promoting domestic aquaculture development. However, like the beef feed lots in western states, aquaculture around the world continues to have pollution and disease problems. Big Chinese markets might be good for the proven lobster industry, but could open the day door to a gold rush mentality in experimental finfish aquaculture. The promotion and development of finfish aquaculture should not be built at the expense of existing wild fisheries.

Lobster fishing and aquaculture are very different industries. Lobster, is an owner operated, family business by design. Aquaculture is given to consolidation and corporate ownership.

Lobster is the backbone of the Maine coastal economy for good proven reasons. Water quality and resource protection guarantees need to be in place for aquaculture before investment begins. Sloppy government oversight has been the final nail in the coffin for fisheries of another gulf recently.