June 4, 2018 โ Lobster has a way of bringing people together โ particularly Mainers.
The prized crustaceanโs magnetism was on full display on Friday, 1 June, when the state of Maineโs four congressional representatives convened in Portland, Maine, U.S.A., with a group of U.S. federal trade officials to start a dialogue about the economic importance of the stateโs USD 1.5 billion (EUR 1.2 billion) lobster industry.
Concerns that Maine lobster could become a casualty in international trade wars spurred U.S. senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin to come together for the closed-door trade meetings, which were organized by the Maine Lobster Dealers Association (MLDA).
โThis is an incredibly unique opportunity for all of us to have the entire delegation from Maine here in Maine, all under one roof, working together for a really important, common goal,โ said Annie Tselikis, who serves as the association director for MLDA, during a press conference at Portlandโs DiMilloโs on the Water restaurant, before the delegation moved into their private session with the trade contingent.
โYou almost never see all four of us together,โ King said. โThatโs an important statement in itself.โ