I was beyond flabbergasted as a read a recent blog that blithly described the Maine Lobster industry as an 'endangered species'!! If lobstering is dead, than we are in lobster heaven! The author clearly has no knowledge of lobstering or the way of life for thousands of Maine fisherman. As the wife of a Maine lobsterman, let me tell you the true side of lobstering.

My husband has worked on the Maine waters for over 30 years and I can tell you first hand what it's like. He leaves the house to be at the dock well before sunrise and often doesn't get home until dark. He fishes in all kinds of weather - hot, cold, rain, ice and snow do not stop them. Only wind will keep them home, but at times they do take chances. They have families to feed, mortgages and bills to pay. So they go because they need to. And they go because they love it. The hard physical labor and the beauty of being on the water gives them a sense of self and pride in their work that cannot be duplicated, bottled or sold. It is their life, their heart and their souls.

Boat price today is $2.50/lb I think. Last year at this time they were all complaining because it was $4/lb. I won't quote gas prices, but we all know that the price of diesel has skyrocketed. The herring they use for bait is now unobtainable due to fishing quotas on the herring. There will be none through the month of October as the allowable amounts have already been caught. So the fishermen are now forced to purchase whatever bait fish they can find. And guess what? Some of it must come from as far as California and it all costs a lot more than herring.

The lobster markets are also frozen now due to a glut in frozen lobsters in Canada. We no longer have processors here in the US. Government regulations made it unprofitable for the processors, while the Canadian government subsidies their fisheries. Oh - and the Canadian lobster fishing season begins November 1. So the processors will want the Canadian lobsters first.

Also I want to stress how much the lobster industry brings to the state of Maine in terms of tourist dollars and money for the local economy. It supports local small coastal businesses, boat builders and restaurants. It is a healthy protein that provides delicious, chemical free food! It supports the environment by being a beacon of sustainable harvesting of seafood. Without the cold, clear Maine water, the lobster would not live, so fishermen respect and take care of their livelihood. Sustainable practices include strict size limits, trap limits, limited numbers of fishing licenses, and v-notching egg bearing females to use as brood stock. No other fishing industry can claim such diverse and thorough practices.

Please support your neighbors, your state and your health! Buy and eat Maine lobster. It's cheaper than steak and better for you. Your fishing neighbors will thank you!

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