DEER ISLE, Maine — The decline in the price fishermen get for lobster will be the topic of a community meeting at 6 tonight at the Reach Performing Arts Center.
Sponsored by the Penobscot East Resource Center, the “Community Lobster Crisis” meeting will provide an opportunity for fishermen and community members to discuss the recent drop in the price of lobsters and to discuss ideas about how to respond locally in the short term and the long term as fishermen adjust to the changing market.
The meeting comes on the heels of the “Eat a Lobster, Save a Community” lobster bake Sunday that offered cooked or live lobsters for $3.50 each on the Stonington fish pier.
Thousands of people showed up at the lobster bake which sold close to 5,000 lobsters, with proceeds going toward fuel credits for the local lobster fleet, according to Annie Tselikis of the Penobscot East Resource Center.
The lobster bake was intended to support the Stoning-ton-Deer Isle lobster fleet and to send a message that communities along the Maine coast can help their local fishing communities, Tselikis said.
“People are still thinking of lobster as a luxury item, but when it’s cheaper than steak it’s not. Right now it’s cheaper than hamburger,” she said.
The price of lobster, which has been low through most of the summer, dropped by 20 percent last week. According to previous reports, concerns over the crisis on Wall Street have curbed consumer demand for “luxury items,” and the international credit crisis has effectively shut off orders from major processors in Canada.
The price for lobster has continued to decline to 1980 levels. Fishermen reportedly were getting $2.25 a pound in Stonington this weekend with prices closer to $2 a pound reported in other areas of the state.
That’s compared to the $4 a pound which, according to the Maine Department of Marine Resources, fishermen have received in the past several years.
The decline, comes at the start of the peak lobster season while fishermen continue to struggle with high fuel and bait costs. Many lobstermen have talked about tying up their boats and dealers have suggested they haul fewer traps to get prices back up.
BDN writer Rich Hewitt and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
On 10/15/08 at 8:08 AM,
Knightscross wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Stop crying already. Park your boats if you don't want to fish. Just a bunch of greedy Lobster men. It will be good to see a few go bankrupt. There are too many Lobster men anyway.
On 10/15/08 at 8:29 AM,
bendover wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Too many greeters at wal-mart but we dont want to see you lose your job knightscross
On 10/15/08 at 5:31 PM,
justanopinion wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Are you kiddin me knightscross i happen to be from that community. This is how people pay there bills and feed there kids many of them are not rich by any means. They need to keep working you need them to pay for your welfare from the state.
On 10/15/08 at 5:31 PM,
justanopinion wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Are you kiddin me knightscross i happen to be from that community. This is how people pay there bills and feed there kids many of them are not rich by any means. They need to keep working you need them to pay for your welfare from the state.
On 10/16/08 at 1:33 PM,
Showm77 wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
knightscross you are really a jack ass. what are you sitting back and getting a free check from the state?????
On 10/16/08 at 10:35 PM,
BostonRedSox wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Knightscross you really are a winner. I am so glad you said it. We need more people like you in the community. your support is so thankful.
It is obvious you lack the education to understand Economics as a whole. I hope to God that you don't have a Public Relations Job. I also hope you don't have children because your lack of a common education is sad and your children will suffer. I wonder what you do for work, 711, cumberland farms, irving. Before you comment THINK first, and remember if it's coming out of your mouth its probably wrong.
P.S. I am not even involved in anyway with the Lobster Community.
Your an IDIOT
GET OFF WELFARE
On 10/27/08 at 2:15 PM,
CaptainJim wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Wow I feel for you guys. Anyone with a brain knows you don't get rich being a lobster man. It's a shame to see talk of intentionally driving prices up though. Living in Florida I sure could go for a giant tasty Maine lobster at hamburger prices!
On 1/11/09 at 2:16 PM,
lobsterlady wrote:
Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
Knightscross, I think your more than an idiot (but I can't say what here). Maybe some day, if you have a job, you'll lose that job and then know what it feels like. Remember, what goes around comes around.
Post a comment about this story
You must be logged in to post a comment.
click here to log in.
