Maine Lobster Wars, and ME Fishermen Running 'Fishermen's Markets' to Survive

Good question, Ugenetoo. You'd think they'd be trumpeting their use of Maine products, loud and proud.

PS - no mention of Pingree, anywhere on the invitation. Hmm.....

Bets that Angus King will make a "special, surprise" appearance?
:)

If I had the time, and was in North Massachusetts, I might investigate this.........(hint hint)

Just wear a light blue shirt, and khaki pants, like all the King interns. You'll blend right in.
:D

Schwingggg!

No.

The source of the lobsters, Sherlock !!!

23-year-old to open lobster processing plant in Tenants Harbor

A 23-year-old entrepreneur plans to open a lobster processing plant along the Maine coast, with hopes of getting some of the business that now goes to Canada. Kyle Murdock, who grew up on Monhegan Island, plans to have the Sea Hag Seafood plant running by Monday in the former Great Eastern Mussel Farms in Tenants Harbor.

I wish the young owner and his family all the luck in the world. I hope his processing plant ends up being a wild success.

I hope he does well, it is good to see him finally up and operating.

My father was a fisherman/lobsterman, my cousin's are fisherman/lobsterman, I grew up in that environment and still hear the facts "right from the lobstermen's mouth".

I do not understand HOW the lobster industry fell into the corrupt hands that they have and I pray they can find a way out b/c they are right. If they allow the industry to do this to them this year, next year will only be worse. I just can't believe these extremely hard-working people have been brought to their knees by greedy corporations.

These men live off thier lobster income all year. At $2.00 a pound, that doesn't even pay for chum and fuel, let alone the labor they pay to run the boats. As a Downeaster (who lives out of state), this is a shock to my system. I never thought I would see the day when this could happen to hard working, honest people. It saddens me greatly that the world has come to things like this and I pray that there is a solution that does not include violence that can right this wrong.

I wish there was something I could do to help. Even if you don't have family in this business, take a second and ponder on the realization of how unfair this is to a large part of the Maine coastal community. I would be embarassed to buy Lobster for $2.00 a pound.......WAL-MART in Ohio is still selling them for $18.99 a pound. The price has not changed all summer!!! Makes you wonder where all that money is going??????

Jo, that was one of the funniest posts yet on the lobster industry. I am a lobsterman and my family is on the other side of the street being a dealer and I can tell you no one is getting rich. Now if your family feels they are getting ripped off by the greedy corporations (whom ever they are) they can always start their own dealership.

The reason we are getting a low price is because we are catching so many of the critters and the supply is far exceeding demand. This has been going on for as long as I can remember, we always feel we are being taken advantage of, well like dad says you are free to start your own business, supply your own bait, fuel, credit in the spring to get started etc. Funny how when it comes push to shove, we still keep selling to the dealers.

How would your family like to get rid of all the lobsters caught in one day by all the lobstermen who sell to a particular dealer for say a .50/lb increase and don't forget the shrinkage of dead lobsters, payroll, licensing etc ? As for the price at WalMart in Ohio, want to bet it is a hardshell which as you know is not the same as a shedder and the lobsterman was paid a higher price for said lobster, do you think it walked out to Ohio, no it was transported and that is not free either. Just be glad they cannot be imported from China. Another for the high price at Walmart is a result of the certification required in order to sell to Walmart. To get certified would have cost Dad upwards of $50,000 the savings is passed on to the consumer.

Remember the only difference between puppies and lobstermen is puppies stop whining after 3 months.

No offense to the lobstermen here on AMG, because I know it's a tough dangerous job in often miserable conditions, but how is the price of lobster "unfair" to you? (unless I am misreading the last few posts). Given the choice, I'd pay $2 per pound over $8.99 all day long. I understand being upset that a retailer hasn't dropped their price even as the wholesale price plummets, but that's perhaps "unfair" to the consumer, but not to the lobsterman. If fuel and bait prices plummet, would you lower your lobster price even if there was a steady demand for your product at the higher price?

I agree the low price presents a challenge and perhaps financial peril for many, but I don't see how it's "unfair".

PS I had lobster last night at Weathervane Seafoods, and it was less than a scallop dinner, for which I was grateful.

You are right Bob, the reason we are getting a low price is because we are catching so many, no complaining on our boat. We would be in bigger trouble if the dealers couldn't move the product, something most lobstermen do not understand. If you catch 1,000/lb at $2.00 or 500/lb at $4.00 we make the same money. But if any lobsterman wants to become a dealer and make the big bucks, lol, I know of an established business for sale.

Your point made perfectly, Islander.

charlie

Dennis Bailey's take:

". We don't need more processing plants, at least not right now. We need innovation, new products, new marketing and, above all, new customers."

http://blog.savvyspin.com/2012/08/11/whoever-heard-of-fourchu-lobster.aspx

charlie

There is something just wrong w/ anything Dennis the menace Bailey has to say , unless he is pimping himself out to the cause for lack of other work at the moment for something to be against!

Well Dennis have at, I sure do wish the wizards of smart would leave us alone. If there was a real need for more processing plants we would have them. No amount of handwringing and running to a hot mike will not change the fact. How long have we been catching lobsters in Maine, what happened to the processing plants we used to have?
As for news customers, isn't that why we have to pay a tax for tags so that the so called promotional council can promote lobster? The more govt gets involved, the more mucked up it becomes.

I wonder if Dennis Bailey would be equally against the new processing plant if it was in need of highly-paid talking heads.

Without investors and financing this young mans dream would not have taken off. At least he can put an end to some of the Canadian squabbling by buying Maine lobster and marketing it as such.

Does anyone really think the consumer really cares if it is Maine lobster, NH lobster, NY lobster or Canadian lobster? I wish him luck not sure what his plans are when there are no lobster to process. Even the Maine dealers who ship to Canada are buying Maine lobster, this young man just decided to process in Maine.