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L A N D I N G S
NEWS & VIEWS FROM MAINE'S LOBSTERING COMMUNITY
In January 2013, the MLCA launched Landings, a monthly newspaper which balances
its content amongst science, history, resource sustainability, economic development,
and human interest stories. Through Landings, MLCA educates the public and lobster
industry stakeholders about the unique characteristics of Maine’s lobstering traditions,
its history and heritage, ongoing research to maintain the sustainability of the resource,
and its non-harmful and non-wasteful commercial fishing practices.
Distributing more than 6,500 copies of this 24+page publication free via mail each
month to all of Maine’s commercial lobstermen, state government agency staff, elected
state officials, Congressional delegation, subscribers, marine businesses; and to the
public at various locations around the state including ferry terminals, marine supply
stores and annual educational forums.
2025 Lobster Season Marked by Concerns
Uncertainty definitely was the buzzword for many people in 2025, including those in the Maine lobster fishery. The 2025 lobster season was marked by colder water, slower landings, and a constant concern about global markets and consumer demand. Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative photo. New tariffs imposed by the Trump administration dominated the news at the beginning of the year. High tariffs on Chinese goods resulted in Beijing placing sharply higher tariffs on American
11 hours ago3 min read
Improving Understanding of Science in Port Clyde
It’s a long drive down Route 131 to reach the fishing town of Port Clyde. Once there you must wind your way off on a side road toward the famous Marshall Point Lighthouse to discover the Herring Gut Coastal Science Center. Once you open the door, however, there’s no question that the trip was worth it. The bright rooms and bubbling aquaponics lab are designed for hands-on learning among children and adults. Herring Gut educator Alaina Zyhowski and Students Sarah Oktay is its
11 hours ago3 min read
Guest Column: Lobstermen's insights, observations are critical
By Carl Wilson 2025 is officially in the rearview mirror. Before I look ahead, it’s important to reflect on the past year because it will continue to have an impact on the future. As we all know, DMR did not advance the regulation that would have increased the minimum gauge size. That proposed regulation was a proactive measure intended to build resilience in the lobster stock. But it met with strong and compelling opposition from industry and as a result was pulled. Carl Wil
11 hours ago3 min read
Guest Column: When in doubt, notch it out
By Col. Matt Talbot, DMR Marine Patrol One of the questions always asked when a Marine Patrol Officer begins in a new area is “What do you consider a v-notch?” Before addressing that question, a little history on lobster conservation going back over 150 years is in order. Col. Matthew Talbot is the DMR Bureau of Marine Patrol Chief The year was 1872 when the State of Maine first made it unlawful to catch, buy, or sell egg-bearing female lobsters. The next 17 years brought bot
11 hours ago4 min read
Women in Fisheries: Patrice McCarron
Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, does not shy away from hard work. Whether it’s long-distance running, Cross Fit training, or overseeing the MLA for nearly 26 years, McCarron commits herself to what she does without reservation. Her work ethic comes in part from her upbringing. “I grew up in Woburn (Massachusetts). Woburn was a blue-collar town. Everyone’s parents worked. I had a paper route as a kid, I bagged groceries when I was 14
11 hours ago5 min read
Lobstermen Needed for DMR Lobster, Jonah Crab Project
DMR Release The Maine DMR Fishery Direct Data (FDD) Pilot Project is a cooperative research project designed to collect data on lobsters and Jonah crabs (with a focus on lobsters) from offshore areas of the Gulf of Maine. The FDD Pilot Program was created in 2024 in response to requests from the lobster industry asking ME DMR to collect more data on lobsters in offshore areas and more data on juvenile lobsters in deeper water. To accomplish this, Maine DMR partnered with the
11 hours ago2 min read
Steaming Ahead | January 2026
The 2026 lobster season is upon us, and before long we’ll be hauling traps under longer days and brighter skies. There’s something special about spring on the Maine coast — that moment when the chill breaks and every boat crew feels a familiar pull to get back on the water. Even after generations of doing this work, it’s hard not to feel a spark of excitement each year. Photo courtesy of Johns Bay Boats. Lobstering has never been a guarantee. Some seasons give more than other
12 hours ago1 min read
MLA Sends Free V-Notch tools to New Harvesters
The MLA mailed a surprise “Welcome to the Industry” gift to more than 100 recently licensed Maine lobstermen, ages 18 to 22. Thanks to the Farm Credit AgEnhancement program, the MLA was able to send each one a high quality, solid steel V-notch tool so the next generation can continue to protect the lobster stock. Lobstermen began voluntarily marking eggers decades ago as a way to ensure the survival of the fishery. The practice gained support after World War II; 1948, Maine p
12 hours ago1 min read
Maine Lobstermen's Association Update | January 2026
MLA Board of Directors Meeting The MLA Board met on December 3 in Belfast. Chairman Jarod Bray opened the meeting. The MLA discussed new business including its social media strategy, Finance Committee report, and planning for MLA Annual Meeting and the Maine Fishermen’s Forum. The year-end fundraising campaign is progressing well and has passed the halfway mark toward the $30,000 goal. End-of-year membership renewals are strong. MLA welcomed 130 new Young Harvester members an
12 hours ago9 min read
MLA Junior Harvester: Meadow Gilley
Meadow Gilley, 17, lobsters out of Southwest Harbor. The Mount Desert Island High School senior began lobstering with her father, Wayne Gilley, when she was a child then became increasingly involved on the boat as she grew older. “I have a student fishing license and will soon get my commercial fishing license,” Gilley said. “I own an 18-foot skiff, which I began fishing in 2020.” Gilley lobsters principally in the summer when she is out of school. Whether her season is a goo
12 hours ago2 min read
To Your Health: Frostbite is no joke
By Ann Backus, MS We have already had some pretty cold days with low temperatures and gale warnings on the Northeast Coast. By this time lobstermen should have switched to polypropylene and insulated gloves and socks when they are hauling. Your first layer should be poly and the second an insulating layer. The goal is to wick moisture away from hands and feet and also insulate hands and feet from a wet and windy environment. Frostnip occurs when the fingers, toes, nose or ear
12 hours ago3 min read
Bigelow Lab Scientist and Team Devise New way to Track Right Whales' Favorite Food
A team of researchers led by satellite oceanographer Rebekah Shunmugapandi from the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences has devised a way to use satellite imagery to detect the presence of a tiny copepod vital to the survival of North Atlantic right whales. NASA’s Aqua satellite detected massive clouds of the tiny red plankton called Calanus finmarchicus in the Gulf of Maine. It is the first time these microscopic crustaceans, packed with energy-rich fat, have been tracked
12 hours ago2 min read
New Resiliency Center Planned for Port Clyde
Colby College completed the purchase of several properties in Port Clyde in November for the college’s new Center for Resilience and Economic Impact. The interdisciplinary research center, which aims to help Maine communities find innovative ways to adapt to climate change, will serve as a home for educational opportunities, outreach, and community building. The transaction includes the purchase of the Seaside Inn, The Barn, the Squid Ink building, and the site of the Port Cl
12 hours ago2 min read
In The News | January 2026
Shrimp fishery remains closed The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission shrimp board voted in December to extend the shutdown of the Northern shrimp fishery. The fishery was first closed in 2014. Maine fishermen once caught millions of pounds of small pink shrimp in the winter. Rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine caused the shrimp, which are at the southern limit of their range, to drop is too low to fish sustainably. Shrimp abundance remained “poor” this year desp
12 hours ago3 min read
In Memorium: Susan Jones
By Robin Alden, originally published in Working Waterfront. The Maine fishing industry lost a guiding light when Susan Jones passed away in early September in Stonington at the age of 78. Her leadership shaped Commercial Fisheries News for 40 years, from the early 1980s until her retirement in 2014, during which it was the paper of record for the New England fishing industry. Photo courtesy of the Jones family via Commercial Fisheries News. Susan built a team of writers, par
13 hours ago2 min read
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