Steaming Ahead | November 2025

For generations, Maine’s lobster fishery has been a symbol of our coastal identity, a source of pride, and a vital economic engine. As someone who cares deeply about the future of our working waterfronts and the communities they support, I believe it’s time we confront a hard truth: without stronger management, we risk driving this fishery down the same path as so many others that have collapsed in our lifetimes.

B. Wish photo.

We’ve seen it before. Maine’s once-thriving groundfish industry, including cod and haddock, was decimated by overfishing and poor oversight. Our shrimp fishery, once a winter staple, is now closed indefinitely. These weren’t just environmental losses; they were economic and cultural tragedies that reshaped entire communities.

The lobster fishery has so far avoided that fate, but we can’t mistake good fortune for invincibility. The current abundance of lobsters does not guarantee future stability. In fact, it may be masking deeper vulnerabilities. Ocean predators are transitioning, habitats are shifting, and fishing pressure remains intense. If we don’t act now, we could find ourselves looking back on this moment with regret.

One area that demands urgent attention is the bait fishery. As traditional bait sources such as herring have declined, we’ve turned to alternatives — some imported, some unsustainable. Currently discussions are taking place to reduce the menhaden quota by as much as 60%. This patchwork approach toward bait is not a long-term solution. We need a comprehensive bait management strategy that ensures we’re not undermining one fishery to prop up another while hopefully reducing the price or at least slowing down inflation. 

At the same time, the financial burden on lobstermen is growing heavier. Boat maintenance costs are climbing. Trap prices are higher than ever. Fuel, gear, and compliance with existing regulations all add up. For many, especially small-scale operators, the margins are razor thin. If we want a future with a diverse fleet where independent fishermen can still make a living, we need to build a system that supports sustainability... not just of the resource, but of the people who depend on it.

This isn’t about shutting down the fishery or pointing fingers. It’s about planning to sustain our future. It’s about recognizing that proactive management is far less painful than reacting to a collapse. It’s about protecting a way of life that defines who we are as Mainers.

We have the knowledge. We have the tools. What we need now is the will to act.

Let’s not wait until the traps come up empty.