Maine's Lobster Catch Declines for Fourth Straight Year

High costs, climate change impact the state's iconic industry

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Maine's lobster catch declined for the fourth consecutive year in 2025, dropping to 78.8 million pounds, the lowest total since 2008. Regulators cited soaring business costs, inflation, and a changing ocean environment as contributing factors to the decline, which saw the overall value of the catch drop by more than $75 million from the previous year.

Why it matters

Lobster is a key part of Maine's identity and economy, with the catch typically worth over $500 million annually at the docks. The decline in recent years raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of the industry, which is grappling with the impacts of climate change, including warming waters that are driving lobsters to migrate to Canadian waters.

The details

The 2025 lobster catch of 78.8 million pounds was down from over 110 million pounds in 2021, and represented the lowest total since 2008. Inflation hit the industry hard, and there were over 21,000 fewer fishing trips compared to 2024. Market uncertainty due to tariffs and a late start to the busy fishing season also played a role in the decline.

  • Maine's lobster catch has declined every year since 2021.
  • The 2025 catch of 78.8 million pounds was the lowest total since 2008.

The players

Carl Wilson

Commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources.

John Drouin

A lobster fisherman who fishes out of Cutler, Maine.

Steve Train

A lobster fisherman based out of Long Island, Maine.

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What they’re saying

“This combination of factors likely contributed to the decline from 2024 to 2025 in the lobster harvest of more than eight million pounds and a decrease in the overall value of more than $75 million.”

— Carl Wilson, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources (Associated Press)

“Hauling was more consistent, with less peaks and valleys, and the price was higher in the summer months. But I think I landed a little less.”

— Steve Train, Lobster fisherman (Associated Press)

The takeaway

The decline in Maine's iconic lobster catch highlights the industry's struggle with rising costs, market uncertainty, and the impacts of climate change, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of this vital part of the state's economy and culture.