Lobster dealers around Maine have gathered together to address the crisis that has chilled the industry to an all-time low. They have formed the Maine Lobster Dealer Import Export Association and are appealing to Gov. John Baldacci to demand representation on his newly established task force.
The governor’s task force is charged with developing a comprehensive plan for the marketing of Maine lobster, as stated in an Oct. 24 executive order. The task force has until Apr. 15, 2009 to submit their recommendations to the governor.
Members on this task force include representatives from the Dept. of Marine Resources, Dept. of Economic and Community Development and the Maine Lobster Promotion Council. Other members of the task force may include professionals in the field and those with expertise in finance, international trade, marketing and community development.
“There’s no input from the dealer’s sector,” Karin Resch, owner of Eastern Traders, Ltd. in Nobleboro said.
The dealer’s association wants to be involved in the task force work, which will look toward conservation and sustainability, Resch said.
Ron Phillips of Coastal Enterprises Inc. is leading the task force focused on finding a solution to this issue. He said that while processing is not so active in Maine, it could be.
“It’s going to take time,” Phillips said. “Lincoln County is an important fishery resource.”
According to Phillips, the private sector needs to take an active role in the process. He said that the combined efforts of people involved could help create a climate to support local growth.
“It’s quite an industry,” Phillips said, referring to the harvesters, dealers, processors, chain restaurants and international marketers involved in moving Maine lobsters to market. “We need to look at it as a whole.”
Phillips said that people who are involved in the lobster business could look at cost and see where energy savings could be made. Phillips said that in these uncertain times, there are also possibilities for opportunity.
Resch’s company closed its lobster dealing business for the winter after making its last shipment of the year to New Brunswick, Canada on Nov. 14. Resch said his business was forced to close up for the winter, ultimately due to a large consumer drop in casual dining.
“It’s the first thing to go during tough economic times,” Resch said during an interview on the year’s last day of business.
Resch said he was happy to see the reaction of people in Maine to the lobster business conundrum. He said that people have been buying lobster to support local business and fishermen.
Most of the lobster Eastern Traders sends to processors in Canada, however, go to companies who deal with popular chain restaurants, such as Outback Steakhouse. The Dardon Chain in particular has been faithful to the northeastern lobster, but is under pressure to buy the Caribbean lobster, Resch said.
In 2006, Eastern Traders shipped seven million pounds. Last year, the company shipped just over half that amount, Resch said. This year, the company shipped 2.8 million pounds of lobster.
His company also isn’t shipping lobster this winter due to competition with the Nova Scotia fish market. He said that their season for shedders (lobster with newly hardened shells) starts on Nov. 24.
The company has made provisions for live trade companies to take the catch that has been committed to them, he said. Dealers will still have a place to take their lobster even though Eastern Traders has closed its doors for the winter. Resch said he expects to open again in April.
“I’m hoping that inventories that are frozen will be diminished enough to replenish,” he said. “It depends on how people react, whether they go out and get their lobster special at Outback Steakhouse.”
Resch said he and others in the business are working diligently with organizations such as the Maine Lobstermen’s Association and the Maine Lobster Promotion Council.
“We’re constantly brainstorming ideas to try and make our business survive,” he said. “There are some good ideas out there.”
