F R O M   T H E   C R O W E ’ S   N E S T

If It Sputters



As the year winds down, lobster season tops out a certain amount of uncertainty again becomes a part of planning for next year. The shifting fates of some fisheries bring to mind the lines “it was the best of times and it was the worst of times,” or vice versa.

The price of lobster at times has plunged back to the 1980’s. With inflation and operating costs factored in it’s back to the 1940’s. But there are so many lobster out there that under other circumstances they might be considered an invasive species.

But the Maine DMR is attempting to induce the development of a 21st century lobster market that can absorb the nothing short of phenomenal increase in the lobster population. This could bring on the best of times including those down at the local truck dealers.

Northern shrimp, as sensitive to water temperature changes as other sea animals, according to some scientists have moved north ending its viability as a commercial fishery.

The 72% groundfish quota cut is a game changer. But a bevy of establishment scientists have challenged the NMFS information that quota cut was based on. These science challengers are working off real-time observations, contemporary data and commonsense marine biology.

Low federal survey estimates of yellow tail flounder have threatened the scallop fishery that harvests yellowtail as bycatch. However, recent SMAST tow survey research finds yellowtail flounder to be the most abundant flat fish in their survey. About 1600% more abundant than the NMFS yellowtail surveys. The federal management behemoth is simply out of touch with real time fisheries reality.

Regulations are headed for the elver fishery. That Asia is willing to pay $2,500 a pound for what were mostly unseen and relatively unknown creatures 35 years ago has turned some lights on, curiously even over to the feds. Growing glass eels out to market size here could help bring back some of the diversity that formerly provided stability to the Maine fishing industry.

Whelks have also found strong export markets. Seaweed markets are growing with edible seaweed taking the highest added value.

Restoration, diversification and stabilization of fishery resources, timely on the water collaborative science and realistic market development will strengthen the coastal economy.

Lobster is the engine of the coastal economy, but diversity will provide support if that engine sputters.