Although Maine’s commercial fishing earnings have exceeded $500 million for fourteen years in a row – hitting $619,053,489 in 2025 – inflation has affected the industry and fishing effort on lobster, the state’s iconic species, has dropped.
Data released by the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) shows that Maine lobster harvesters landed 35,743 tonnes (78.8 million pounds) in 2025 and again topped all other fisheries with an overall landed value of $461,384,405 on the strength of a $5.85 per pound boat price – the third highest boat price on record.
However, while the boat price and overall value for lobster remained relatively high, buoyed by strong consumer demand, inflation took its toll on the industry.
‘When adjusting for inflation, the overall value of lobster in 2025 was more in line with the value earned in 2008,’ said DMR Commissioner Carl Wilson.
‘The impact of inflation on fishermen in 2025 not only challenged their bottom line, but when combined with market uncertainty due to tariffs, and a late molt that limited access by the summer fishery to new shell lobsters, it may have caused many to change fishing behavior, including limiting trips.’
In fact, according to DMR’s figures, Maine lobster harvesters took over 21,000 fewer trips in 2025 than in 2024, a nearly 10% decline in fishing effort.
‘This combination of factors likely contributed to the decline from 2024 to 2025 in the lobster harvest of more than eight million pounds (3628 tonnes) and a decrease in the overall value of more than $75 million.’
Maine’s clam and menhaden fisheries saw increases in both volume and value. The softshell clam fishery was the state’s second most valuable in 2025 with an overall value of $21,591,878, a jump of nearly $6 million over 2024. Maine clammers increased their harvest over 2024 by 200 tonnes (441,578 pounds) and saw an increase in price at the dock from $2.72 per pound in 2024 to $3.49 per pound in 2025.
Atlantic menhaden was the third most valuable fishery in Maine in 2025, earning fishermen $18,962,057, an increase of more than $5 million over 2024. Landings increased from 12,127 tonnes (26,735,331 pounds) in 2024 to 14,240 tonnes (31,394,325 pounds) in 2025.
Maine oyster harvesters and growers continue to see increasing demand for their product, which was the fourth most valuable in 2025, at $16,179,031. Maine scallops were the fifth most valuable commercially harvested species in 2025, earning both fishermen and aquaculturists $9,344,477.
‘The reputation for Maine oysters continues to grow as consumers prize their clean, briny, sweet flavour which comes from the cold clean, nutrient rich waters along our coast,’ said Commissioner Wilson.
‘Maine scallops continue to provide a vital winter fishery for harvesters, an emerging opportunity for aquaculturists, and a delicacy for consumers.’
Elver fishmen harvested 3537kg (7797 pounds) of baby eels in 2025 and earned $6.9 million, making this the state’s sixth most valuable fishery.
