AUGUSTA, Maine — March 7, 2013 — Fearing back-to-back seasons of record landings but diminished prices, a majority of lobstermen, processors and dealers told lawmakers Wednesday that they're willing to pay more to do their jobs if the state will spend more marketing its trademark product.
Their message was aimed at the Legislature's Marine Resources Committee, which is considering a bill to expand marketing of Maine lobsters by increasing surcharges on the licenses of lobstermen and dealers.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Kruger, D-Thomaston, is the result of numerous meetings of industry representatives during a difficult 2012 season, in which lobstermen hauled more crustaceans than the year before but saw demand and prices fall.
The proposal, designed to expand the market for Maine lobster, is supported by the Department of Marine Resources. It restructures the duties and composition of the Legislature-created Lobster Promotion Council to improve the focus of the agency's marketing mission.
The council already collects surcharges from lobster license holders, crab fishermen, dealers and industry related services. But supporters of Kruger's bill argue that the council's current budget isn't sufficient to expand into other markets.
This year's marketing budget is about $380,000. Kruger's bill would increase the budget to $1 million in 2014, $2 million in 2015 and $3 million in 2016 through step increases in license surcharges.
Dealers and lobstermen testified in favor of the bill on Wednesday. While some lamented the steep increases in surcharges, other said it was necessary.
Read the full story from the Portland Press Herald