Extreme
cooperation.

It’s no accident that Maine is one of the most successful lobster fisheries in the world.

Ours is a great example of government and private sector cooperation as the state of Maine and its lobster harvesters share management responsibilities. An elected council of fishermen determine best harvest practices and governs each of seven zones established along our rocky coastline.  Zone councils determine the maximum number of traps each license holder is permitted to fish, the number of traps that may be fished on a single line, as well as the maximum number of fishermen in their zone.

This “zoned” approach to lobstering helps ensure the continued health of the resource by taking local differences into account.