Maine's Catch of Lobster Declines Again as High Costs and Climate Change Impact Industry

Maine’s lobster haul declines for a fourth straight year after overfishing warnings

The southern New England lobster fishery has been declared depleted by regulators for years

Despite lower lobster catch this year, what I’m seeing on the water gives me hope

The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set news policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com Sonny Beal is a lobsterman from Jonesport-Beals and chairman of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association. Maine lobstermen caught about 79 million pounds of lobster last year,  less than any year in recent memory. When people see that number, they’ll be tempted to assume the w…

Maine's lobster catch declines again as high costs, climate change impact industry

Maine's haul of lobsters, the state's best known export and a key piece of its identity and culture, has declined every year since 2021.

Maine’s lobster haul hits 17-year low

The state's fleet is grappling with a 'post-boom normal' defined by fewer trips, narrower margins and a tiny sign of hope in recent scientific surveys.

Maine's catch of lobster declines again as high costs and climate change impact industry

Maine’s catch of lobsters has declined for the fourth straight year as the industry continued to grapple with soaring business costs, inflation and a changing ocean.

Maine commercial fisheries topped $600M in 2025, led by the lobster industry

Commercial fishermen earned $619 million in 2025, marking the 14th straight year the industry topped $500 million, despite lower lobster landings and rising costs.