We know of a lobsterman who has family living out of state. His relatives’ idea of vacation is to visit him and his family, grab a couple lobsters right off the boat and enjoy the feast in his yard overlooking the waters of the harbor out of which he works.
To his relatives this is an exotic vacation. For him, it is an awful lot like work.
He gets up and goes out on those waters every single day.
Lobstermen we have talked to, including our friend, talk about the independence of working on the water; of working in a place and at a job other people only dream of. It can be a hard life, but a good life.
Lobstermen we know wouldn’t have it any other way. We know others who have been forced out of the trade for one reason or another, and they have left with anguish in their hearts.
Anyone who knows a lobsterman will tell you, these men and women work hard.
They are rightfully proud of their heritage but the reality is their continued operation comes down to paying the bills, and that means keeping their boats in the water.
They may be part of a long tradition, but they are essentially independent businessmen and like all businessmen everywhere in a global economy, they are at the mercy of forces beyond their control.
If they can’t or don’t work, they can’t buy the gas, groceries, tools and toys that make all of the other pieces of the local economy go.
The sudden drop in market prices is immediately bad for them, and our thoughts and prayers are with them. If it continues long term, it will be bad for everyone.
