June 25, 2021 — Maine saw the value of its elver fishery jump back up to historic levels after a 2020 that was marred by closures and low prices caused by covid-19.
Preliminary data from the Maine Department of Marine Resources indicate that the value of the catch, which topped out at 8,960.97 pounds out of an available 9,620.70 pounds, is reported to be $16.56 million. The price came in at average of $1,849 per pound in 2021.
Elvers, also known as glass eels, have become the second most valuable fishery in the state in recent years, behind only lobster. However, 2020 saw the fishery plummet in value after covid-19 social-distancing restrictions closed the fishery, and a lack of demand from key markets caused the value to drop.