The value of Maine’s 2018 commercially harvested marine resources increased by more than US$60 million from the previous year, and for only the third time in history exceeded US$600 million.
At US$637,174,944, the overall value represents the second highest on record, according to preliminary data from the Maine Department of Marine Resources.
American lobster was the most valuable single species harvested in the US in 2015, 2016, and 2017, with Maine landings accounting for approximately 80% of the value. In 2018, almost 120 million pounds (54431.08 tonnes) were landed, an increase of almost 8 million pounds (3628.74 tonnes) from the previous year. The value of Maine's lobster fishery rose by more than 10% with boat price increasing from US$3.92 per pound to US$4.05.
Despite a season shortened because of illegal sales which put the state in jeopardy of exceeding its allotted quota, elver harvesters pocketed US$21,747,190 in 2018. The total was an increase of 78% over 2017 and ranked the fishery as Maine’s second most valuable.
The value of Atlantic Herring placed it third overall at US$16,565,907, notwithstanding harvest levels that were 3.6 million pounds (1632.93 tonnes) lower than 2017.
Softshell clam harvesters earned an additional US$514,768 over the previous year due to an increase of 258,642 pounds (117.32 tonnes) harvested. At US$12,854,545, the fishery was Maine’s fourth most valuable in 2018.
Sea urchins and scallops ranked fifth and sixth respectively in value of harvested resources. Harvesters landed 2,041,633 pounds (926.07 tonnes) of urchins valued at US$6,201,621. Maine scallop harvesters landed 239,428 pounds (108.60 tonnes) less in 2018 than in the previous year which, combined with a decrease of US$1.20 per pound, resulted in a decline in value of US$3,488,936.
