Lobster Landings Up, Earnings Down

by Laurie Schreiber

The latest annual report on “Fisheries of the United States” shows that 2009 landings of American lobster rose 18 percent, but value decreased by 2 percent, compared with 2008.

The report was issued earlier in September by the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Fisheries Statistics Division in Silver Spring, Md.

American lobster landings were nearly 96.9 million pounds valued at almost $299.5 million—an increase of 15.1 million pounds, but a decrease of almost $6.7 million, compared with 2008, according to the report.

Maine led in landings for the 28th consecutive year with 78 million pounds valued at almost $228.6 million – an increase of almost 14.6 million pounds (23 percent) compared with 2008. Massachusetts, the second leading producer, had landings of almost 11.6 million pounds valued at nearly $41.9 million – an increase of nearly 1.1 million pounds (10 percent) compared with 2008.

Together, Maine and Massachusetts produced more than 92 percent of the total national landings. The average boat price per pound was $3.09 in 2009, compared with $3.74 in 2008.

For overall landings, the report finds that New Bedford, Mass., is the top spot for value of landings for the 10th year in a row. The New Bedford port brought in $249.2 million in 2009, an increase of $7.9 million over the previous year. The amount of fish landed was also up by 23.6 million pounds, with scallops responsible for a large part of the high value.

For the 21st consecutive year, Dutch Harbor-Unalaska, Alaska was the country’s top port for the total amount of fish landed. Last year, commercial fishermen unloaded 506.3 million pounds of fish and shellfish there, mostly pollock.

Dutch Harbor-Unalaska also retained its position as the second-highest port for landings value, with landings earning $159.7 million in 2009.

Among Maine ports, the report ranks Portland as number 24 for overall landings of 37.3 million pounds, an increase over 2008’s 35.1 million pounds. Rockland comes in at number 33, with 21.4 million pounds, a significant decrease form 2008’s 29.6 million pounds.

Stonington is ranked 31st in the U.S. for value of landings; that port earned $26.5 million in 2009, a big increase over 2008’s $15.4 million.

The value of overall landings in Portland took a significant hit. In 2009, that port earned $16.6 million, compared with 2008’s $22.6 million.

Department of Marine Resources Commissioner George Lapointe said that New Bedford’s continued top ranking came as no surprise, due to the port’s large scallop fishing industry.

The rise in Stonington’s earning reflect high lobster prices, he said. And Portland, he said, continues to struggle because groundfishing is down.

A ranking of Maine ports by the DMR begins with Stonington at the top for value and Portland for landings.

For value on overall landings, Portland is second, with earnings of $17.4 million; Vinalhaven with $14.2 million; Jonesport fourth with $11.6 million; and Friendship fifth with $10.8 million.

For overall landings, after Portland comes Rockland in second place with 20.9 million pounds; Jonesport third with 18.6 million pounds; Stonington fourth with 15.2 million pounds; and Lubec fifth with 8.1 million pounds.

Lobster and herring are the two top species landed at Maine ports, said DMR landings program scientist Heidi Bray. Lubec’s landings, however, are largely sea cucumbers, seaweed and urchins. Groundfish continues to be a significant landed species in Portland.

The difference in boat price among species plays a significant role in the different in overall values, she said. With herring at around 14 cents per pound and lobster at between $3 and $5 per pound, ports will larger lobster fisheries bring in higher earnings.

The DMR collects data through monthly dealer reports.

Nationwide, the total domestic commercial landings for 2009 were 7.9 billion pounds, valued at $3.9 billion. This is a decrease from 2008, when the volume reached 8.3 billion pounds, with a value of $4.4 billion. Accounting for most of the decrease was a decline in landings of both pollock and Pacific whiting.

“The successful and collaborative management of the New England scallop fishery is a main reason for the excellent year we saw in 2009,” said Eric Schwaab, NOAA assistant administrator for the National Marine Fishereis Service. “Fishing also supports a healthy industry and working waterfronts.”