Here you see the end of a day’s fishing at the convenience raft in Naskeag Harbor, where freshly caught lobsters are sold by fishermen (male and female) and fuel and lobster bait for the next trip out are bought by them.
We hear that the overall lobster harvest this year continues to be lower than expected, but at least the market continues to react by raising lobster prices. However, the fishermen’s lives have been further complicated by the 2020-2021 State and regional protective restrictions (quotas) on harvesting Atlantic Herring.
Herring are the fishermen’s favorite lobster bait. Alternative bait must be used now and, we hear, it has become harder to get; which means more expensive for fishermen to buy; which means they keep less of those higher prices. Some of the fishermen are taking traps out of the water early to put an end to this strange season.
Nonetheless, many seem to be carrying on and having great weather to do so. We wish them the best of luck. (Images taken in Brooklin, Maine, on October 12, 2021.)