AUGUSTA — The Lobster Advisory Council unanimously voted on Thursday to move forward with a $3 million plan to market Maine lobster in an effort to increase prices, which are currently at the lowest level in 30 years.
The details of the marketing plan and the specific way it gets funded — such as through higher lobster license fees — must be hashed out by the state legislature. The eleven members of the council voted in favor of the plan at a 3-hour meeting attended by about 50 members of the lobster industry.
Some lobstermen balked at the thought of higher fees, but others embraced the idea of trying marketing to try to increase demand.
"For about $500 more, you're buying $3 million of promotion. That's a pretty good investment," said Peter Miller, a lobsterman from Tenants Harbor, who supported the idea of a marketing campaign. "Hopefully it will lead to more consumption as demand increases and more demand will lead to higher prices.
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