| Overview |
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The American
Lobster. Homerus americanus. Drawing by J.H. Emerton.
NMFS Historic Images Collection. |
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| Historical
Background |
| Lobster |
| Groundfish |
Overview
Fishing has shaped the economic and social character of
many Maine communities but there is doubt as to whether
fishing can sustain them much longer. Many of the commercially
important species, like cod, have been overfished.
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Some people fear that the booming lobster fishery
may begin to decline. Retirees and vacationers are increasingly
buying coastal property, which change the composition and
character of many coastal Maine communities. As these newcomers
drive up the cost of living, many fishermen, whose families
may have lived in the same community for six generations,
often decide to move inland to less costly areas.
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| Lobster boats in the
harbor. Stonington, ME. Photo by Jennifer Isé,
NOAA Fisheries. |
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Historical Background
Over the past 150 years, groundfish, mackerel, herring,
lobster, and shrimp have been among the most commercially
important species in the Downeast region.
Dependence on
each species has fluctuated as populations decline from
overfishing and as consumer preferences change. In 1840
herring was one of the most important
regional commercial species while now most of the smoked herring industry
is based in Nova Scotia and elsewhere. Recently,salmon
aquaculture has become
an important industry. Fish processing remains an important industry to
the region.
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| Herring drying
on the flakes in the sun; landing, cleaning, washing,
etc.at the sardine cannery, Eastport, ME. From photo
by T.W. Smillie. NMFS Historic Images Collection. |
Lobster
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Historically, lobster was a commercially
undesirable species, given to children and indentured
servants. Now lobster is the most important commercial
marine species
in Maine. Harvest levels are at a record high and accounted
for 70% of Maine’s fish catch in 2002, up from
44% in 1992. Many individuals, even entire communities,
are
dependent on the sustainability of the lobster fishery.
They will be
seriously affected if the lobster population declines.
There is increasing concern that Maine lobster populations
will
suffer from a shell-wasting disease that has already
devastated populations farther south, along the Rhode
Island coast.
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| Lobster fishing – boats
of Bristol, ME. Drawing by H.W. Elliot and Capt. J.W.
Collins. NMFS Historic Images Collection. |
Groundfish
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Groundfishing was the first industry established
in colonial America. Groundfish species include cod,
halibut, haddock, redfish, and flounder. For the past
400 years, groundfishing shaped the culture of the New
England fishing industry and drove its economic development.
However, groundfishing is no longer a viable industry
in much of the region due to overfishing. In the eastern
part of Maine, landings are at a 500-year low. As a result,
groundfish fishermen are also currently scarce. Most
local groundfish permit holders do not fish anymore or
only do so part-time.
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Winter Flounder
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Haddock
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Halibut
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Atlantic
Cod
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Source: the
NEFSC Historic Photos, Lineart Collection
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Dressing
halibut on deck of schooner for icing in the hold. From
photo by T.W. Smillie, 1882. NMFS Historic Images Collection. |
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