Lobster landings net $47 million

Originally published in Island Ad-Vantages, March 13, 2014 Lobster landings net $47 million for port of Stonington


 by Faith DeAmbrose

  Preliminary data released by the Maine Dept. of Marine Resources on March 1 show another banner year for the Port of Stonington in 2013, and an increase in the boat price for lobster was the primary driving force.
  With 17,378,069 pounds of live lobster landed, the total ex-vessel value (average boat price) was recorded at $47,454,463, an increase of more than $3 million from 2012 figures. The totals could be subject to some change as the DMR finalizes its numbers.
  While the total number of pounds caught decreased by roughly 232,000 from 2012 to 2013, an increase in the boat price for the crustaceans drove up the total value to exceed 2012 numbers.
In 2012, Stonington landed more than 17.6 million pounds for a total value of approximately $44.4 million.


  The statewide boat price average for 2013 was $2.89 (up from $2.69 in 2012), according to a press release from the DMR. “While an increase in the price per pound is a good sign, it is still the second lowest since 1995, which underscores the importance of the efforts of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative,” said DMR Commissioner Pat Keliher in a prepared statement.
  Statewide, the preliminary figures show that the total landed value for lobsters in 2013 was $365 million, a $22 million increase from 2012 and $30 million more than 2011.
Vinalhaven and Beals are the second and third ports with the highest lobster landings, with 10 million and 5.8 million pounds, respectively. Spruce Head and Friendship round out the top five ports, with 4 million and 3.8 million pounds.