It takes a lot of metal to make a Maine lobster trap. With the advent of coated wire many decades ago, what once was largely made of wood became a cage of metal. Now, with a barrage of U.S tariffs on goods from around the world, the cost of that metal has increased. The cost of an average Maine lobster trap has skyrocketed as well. Costs again are rising for lobster traps. MLA Photo. The uptick in cost didn’t happen overnight. During President Trump’s first term in office, U.S. tariffs...

For Marine Patrol Officer (MPO) Alison Gauvin, every day is a good day, as long as she is outdoors and on the water. The 31-year-old Whitefield native began her career in Marine Patrol four years ago and, to hear her tell, it’s a perfect fit. “My mother told me about Marine Patrol. I was in Boston, working as a personal trainer and I wanted to get home,” Gauvin explained. “I’ve always been athletic and I wanted to work outside.” Gauvin's learned a lot about tides and currents since coming to...

The Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative (MLMC) was created by the Maine Legislature in 2013. The Legislature’s purpose in establishing the Collaborative was clear: improve the price paid to lobstermen by marketing Maine lobster in order to increase demand. The MLMC’s activities are paid for through a surcharge on licenses held by lobstermen, lobster processors and dealers. The MLMC's study reaffirmed the close price relationship between the Canadian and U.S. lobster fisheries. Portland...