Maine lobster catch tipped the scale at a record 130 million pounds in 2016

The Maine lobster industry is bigger and more lucrative than ever, with fishermen landing more than 130 million pounds of lobster valued at $533.1 million in 2016.

That is a record for both landings and industry value, according to Commissioner Patrick Keliher of the Department of Marine Resources, who announced the results Friday at the annual Maine Fishermen’s Forum.

“This is a critical industry for Maine, so these record highs mean a lot to the men and women who fish our waters, as well as the communities that depend on them,” Keliher said.

The record haul is the result of strong conservation efforts, a decline in lobster predators, and younger sexual maturity and spawning as a result of warming waters, Keliher said.

Read more: http://www.pressherald.com/2017/03/03/maine-lobster-landings-set-records-in-2016/