Maine Lobstering TodayThe Real Story

ByCameron BettsBruce Dodge

Megan FerlandAndrew Gauthier

Liza RobertMatt Thompson

The Lobstermen LayoutI. Maine’s History of LobsteringII. Maine’s Modern IndustryIII. Equipment and TrapsIV. Friendship Trap CompanyV. Pressing Issues in the

Lobstering CommunityI. Issue I: BaitII. Issue II: Right Whales and

RopeIII. Issue III: Steel and Wire Prices

VI. Our Personal Experience

Maine’s History of LobsteringThe history of Maine lobstering is a lengthy one. It began with Native Americans using lobsters as fertilizing material. Lobster was then passed on to colonists but was considered “Poverty Food” which was given to slaves, servants, and children.

Maine’s History of Lobstering: continued...

When the 1800’s began lobsters were gathered by hand. However, in 1850 the lobster trap industry finally began. By the year 1875 the first “lobster pound” was established in Maine. Soon after lobsters could be purchased off of any lobster harvester.

Maine’s History of Lobstering: continued...

When World War II rolled around lobster was finally considered a delicacy and there was a large demand for this animal. That is where the lobster industry has lead to today, the bellies of many people.

Maine’s Modern IndustryLobstering contributes majorly to the Maine state economy. In 2006 alone, catch was larger than 72 million pounds of lobster, generating over $300 million dollars at the dock. There are over 5,700 lobstermen in Maine alone. These lobstermen provide and support for businesses in lobster processing, dealers, marine outfitters, boat makers, retailers, and restaurants. This occupation is vital to Maine’s economy on a state level and local-coastal level.

Lobster Zones Today

EquipmentBait BagBanding ToolBuoyGaff HookPot HaulerTrapV-Notch Tool

Bait Bag

Once made from twine a bait bag is now made from nylon. The bait bag is filled with a particular fish, usually herring.

Banding Tool

Tool used to place the rubber bands around a lobster’s claws.

Buoy

An object that marks the location in which the lobstermen has laid his or her trap.

Click icon to add picture

Gaff Hook

The tool used to “snare” the buoy and the line towards the Pot Hauler.

Click icon to add picture

Pot Hauler

A hydraulic tool that is attached to the side of the boat which pulls traps out of the water.

Click icon to add picture

Trap Warp

A rope or line that is attached to the buoy and the trap in case of a trawl.

Click icon to add picture

V-Notch Tool

A tool used to cut a v-shaped notch in the tailfin of a female lobster. This then identifies a female that can bear eggs.

Friendship Trap CompanyFounded in 1977, Friendship Trap was one of our stops in our journey. The company provides custom traps for all lobstermen from Maine, the New England Region, Maryland, New York, and even Canada. “There are a lot of challenges facing the industry referring to shifting seasons, whale protection rules, market issues, and more.”

Lobster Trap

Pressing Issues in the Lobstering Community

Issue I: Bait “Price of bait and the

quota of it… they shut down the people who go catch the herring. They’re only going to give them so many days out at sea…” ~Bruce Dodge Sr.

“…pressure on the bait stock. That’s the main thing… the industry if they run out of herring, everybody’s going to be on their own.” ~Owl Head’s Warf

Issue II: Right Whales and Rope

“The right whale is protected by the Endangered Species Act which is an act written by congress … you will not do anything to purturb or do anything that in any way shape or manner, harm these animals… one of the proposals has been to take all lines out of the water, vertical lines out of the water. And that means no lobster traps… if you can’t fish with lobster traps, the only other way of doing it is either with spear or with dragging.” ~ Dr. James Acheson

Issue II: Right Whales and Rope“...the right whale…the endangered whale that everyone’s concerned about. They did away with the float rope and put sink rope in and there’s certain bottom where, it just doesn’t work. But yet they passed a law, they have to comply, but the sink rope, lays on the bottom, and if you’re on soft bottom it’s one thing, but if you’re on rough bottom where you got a lot of jagged rocks and cliffs and what have you, it chafes, and it becomes a real danger.”

Whale and Rope Interaction

"This diagram (not to scale) illustrates the different types of ground lines in question. The float rope is alleged to rise high enough above the bottom to entangle feeding whales. Low-profile rope, which is still in the development stages, is less buoyant than floating rope. It floats clear of the bottom, but low in the water column. Sinking rope lies on the bottom out of harm’s way as far as whales are concerned, but vulnerable to chafing and snags on rocky bottoms." 

Issue III: Steel and Wire Prices

“… it’s the biggest wire increase in money, in price that I’ve ever seen in the history… Normally they might go up 6% for example on the wire. We’ve got some sizes of wire that went up 27%, on average 20%. So I’m saying these guys are faced with some real challenges and they been losing money on the wire they manufacture.” ~ Mike Wadsworth, Friendship Trap

Steel and Lobster

Our Personal Experience

• http://www.gymliving.co.za/temp/files/image/lobster.jpg

• www.maine.gov/spo/coastal/about.htm• http://www.dreamstime.com/assorted-red-lobster-

clip-art-image5365760• http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1408/1436208214_f2c

bd239e1.jpg• http://www.paintingsbychrisi.com/show-image/719

241/Chrisi-Karvonides-Dushenko/LOBSTER-DINNER.jpg

• http://nopas.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/rightwhale.jpeg

• http://i.usatoday.net/news/_photos/2009/04/05/ropex.jpg

• http://www.flickr.com/photos/britsincancun/3345861342/

• http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/prodimg/HML-BAND.JPG