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 Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation and local fishermen to create the Fishery Direct Data Pilot Project.

There are currently 8 boats spread evenly across the state participating in the FDD Pilot Program. As of December 2025, these boats have collected over 18,000 samples from over 4,000 traps. Given the initial success of the program, the goal for 2026 is to increase the number of participating boats to 20.

The FDD Pilot Project is looking for lobstermen who fish at least a portion of their gear year-round in federal waters and are interested in participating in cooperative research. Participating vessels will collect catch, effort, and biological data on lobsters and Jonah crabs from both experimental ventless traps, and a portion of their commercial gear. They will also collect bottom temperature and water column temperature profiles using a Moana TD sensor located in one of their ventless traps. More information on the FDD Pilot Project can be found at

DMR Fisheries Direct Data Pilot Program

What to Expect:

Participating fishermen will be given 3 ventless traps, a Moana TD sensor, calipers, and a tablet with CFRF’s On Deck Data app to record and upload data.

Training takes approximately 1-2 hours. We can train you at the time and location of your choosing. Participants are compensated for sampling on a per-session basis for 3-5 hours of sampling per month.