Lobster on the Line — Trade War Threatens Maine Lobstermen

After several near boom years, the Maine lobster fishery is being slammed by the current trade war between the United States and China. From June 2018 to June 2019, after the duties were in place, live lobster exports to China tumbled 84 percent. In the same period Canada’s lobster sales to China reached record highs. Lobster represents the largest export for the state of Maine by value.

The Washington Post reports that in the first half of 2018, before the tariffs, lobster sales to China from the United States and Canada were about even, roughly $84 million, according to data from the Lobster Council of Canada.

ut in the second half of the year, post-tariffs, Canada’s sales to China rose to $141 million, and the United States’ dropped to about $60 million. By June 2019, Canada was at $201 million and U.S. sales were nearly halved, to $33 million.

“We’ve just seen our business with China grow exponentially,” Irvine said. “Without the tariffs, it would have been business as usual.”

Though the United States and China in October reached a “phase one” deal to try to de-escalate the 18-month trade war, the agreement won’t affect the lobster tariffs. The bigger question is whether Canada will be able to hold on to its newfound dominance once the trade war ends.

Comments

Lobster on the Line — Trade War Threatens Maine Lobstermen — 6 Comments

  1. Something to note about the lobster industry. We arent suffering here in Maine. The bulk of our $3 lobster (price off the boat) are sold in New York or Boston. Granted once the lobsters hit the markets down there, the average cost as almost $40. The local industry is still alive and well. That being said, the companies in Boston or New York might be hurting from the tarrifs.

  2. Knowing that the imperiled North Atlantic Right Whale has suffered terribly from gear entanglements (certain types of crab and lobster, etc.) as well as from vessel strikes, I have put lobster on the embargoed list. Some states are trialling break away lines and/or radio released gear without gear and line to the surface but the fishermen are, of course, objecting. I understand that but with whales at stake, no more lobster for me. Since it costs close to $50 for a picked out pound that is OK. I stopped eating swordfish 55 years ago when long lining threatened the species. Long lining catches species of all sizes and types and if you catch sexually immature creatures you wipe them out even faster.

  3. If you want a cheaper new england lobster? Call Hannaford supermarket in Ellsworth Maine 207 667 5300. They will overnight you a fresh lobster at $20 (approximately) each.

  4. As far as I know, lobsters and crabs are caught in traps, not nets.
    Crawfish, crawdads or crayfish taste just as good, I accidentally ate a sample at a grocery store in California, but to me, they are the bugs we played with as kids.

  5. I purchased 6 Pre-cooked lobsters at Hannaford’s in Gardiner Maine in May 2019. I processed the meat for a salad. I was dumbfounded when I found an egg/berry bearing female, which really does not look very appealing. Upon further investigation, into the remaining bag of lobster, I discovered it was a Product of Canada. First, I am a fishermen’s daugher and no self-respecting fishermen keeps a female, especially an egg-bearing female. Secondly, I really don’t see the need for Canadian lobsters in our Maine grocery stores, but maybe I am missing something.