April 22, 2013 — Lobstermen and dealers likely will pay equal shares of the cost of a new marketing effort designed to raise demand – and prices – for Maine lobster.
The Legislature's Marine Resources Committee voted unanimously Monday to endorse a bill calling for a 50/50 percent split between lobster harvesters and dealers to fund a reconfigured lobster marketing and promotional council, said Rep. Ralph Chapman, D-Brooksville, a committee member.
For many lobstermen, the cost — over and above current fees — probably would about double their yearly license fees, lawmakers said. But the exact amounts, which would vary by the class of harvesters' license, were not available Monday, nor were the precise levies on dealers.
Several dealers and processors in southern and midcoast Maine said they weren't happy about what they were hearing about the promotional effort but were withholding final judgment until the full details were known.
The Maine Lobster Promotion Council's annual budget — now about $375,000 — is set to be increased to $3 million, with all funding from fees and surcharges on lobstermen, dealers, processors and transporters, lawmakers said.
The money raised by additional fees on licenses for harvesting and commercial sales and handling of lobster would increase incrementally over three years along with the council's budget.
In addition to $1 million already earmarked for the council's budget, the new allocations are set at $1 million in the first year, $2 million in the second year and $3 million in the third.
At that point, the council's success in improving the lobster market in Maine would be evaluated and lawmakers would have a chance to stop the marketing program if it has not shown sufficient progress, legislators and advocates of the lobster industry have agreed.