Maine lobstermen saw their haul fall again in 2025.
That’s according to new data that the Maine Department of Marine Resources released Friday morning.
Lobstermen hauled about 78.8 million pounds of the crustacean to the docks last year, down from 110.7 million in 2021. The catch has fallen each year since 2021.
While lobstermen benefited from the third-highest per pound price for lobster on record ($5.85), the value of last year’s catch was more than $461 million, down from more than $536 million in 2024 and down from the peak value of nearly $743 million in 2021.
The lobster industry had to contend with uncertainty generated by President Donald Trump’s trade wars and a late molt. Factor in inflation, and the value of 2025’s lobster catch was closer to 2008’s catch, which was worth $245 million, according to Marine Resources Commissioner Carl Wilson.
“The impact of inflation on fishermen in 2025 not only challenged their bottom line, but when combined with market uncertainty due to tariffs, and a late molt that limited access by the summer fishery to new shell lobsters, it may have caused many to change fishing behavior, including limiting trips,” Wilson said, noting that lobstermen made about 21,000 fewer trips out into the Gulf of Maine last year.
Climate change is expected to force lobsters to continue a northward migration toward Canadian waters. The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the world’s oceans
Despite the falling catch and value, lobster remains the king of Maine’s fisheries, accounting for nearly 75% of the more than $619 million fishermen hauled in last year.
Behind lobster came softshell clams, which were valued at $21.6 million. That’s thanks, in part, to clammers taking an additional 441,578 pounds last year. The size and value of the softshell clam catch is lower than four years ago, but clammers have seen a turnaround the past two years, state data show. Clammers also benefitted from a dockside price that jumped from $2.72 a pound to $3.49 last year.
The third most valuable fishery was Atlantic menhaden, which is a popular lobster bait. That was worth an estimated $18.9 million in 2025. Like softshell clams, fishermen benefitted from catching nearly 5 million more pounds
The No. 4 most valuable fishery was oysters, which was worth about $16 million last year.
After oysters came scallops, both wild and farm-raised, valued at more than $9 million.
Elvers rounded out Maine’s most valuable fisheries, with fishermen netting $6.9 million for their nearly 7,800-pound catch. But that’s a marked drop from 2022, when fishermen caught about 9,700 pounds of the eels, raking in more than $20 million. It was the second-most valuable fishery in 2023.
“Once again, Maine fishermen and sea farmers in 2025 delivered premium products sought by consumers around the world who value nutritious, sustainably harvested seafood,” Gov. Janet Mills said in a statement. “Through their hard work and dedication, Maine’s fishermen and aquaculturists are providing a strong foundation for our economy and preserving Maine’s heritage for generations to come.”
