It has long been theorized that Maine’s iconic crustaceans do not die at the hands of Father Time, and that the only ways that they’re mysterious lives come to an end is if they’re caught by lobstermen, killed by predators, or from disease. Thanks to new and improving research, though, that theory might finally be […]
For all the backbreaking work that Maine lobstermen do just to make a living, it’s unbelievable to think that simple carelessness is costing their catches an enormous amount of value, resulting in lost income for the entire industry as a whole, but that’s exactly what’s happening. Known as “shrinkage,” bad habits by lobstermen such as […]
On Tuesday, a Facebook page that I follow posted an amazing video of a seal escaping certain death from killer whales by way of a fishermen’s net. The Skipper, which is a maritime magazine from Ireland, originally posted the video over a year ago, but reposted it due to “popular demand,” and when I saw […]
For all the harrowing dangers Maine lobstermen face out on the ocean- from the bitter cold of winter to the sudden thunderstorms of summer- it’s the little things that can really get them into trouble. Getting caught in the rope as traps are being set, or a poorly stacked pile of traps, is about as […]
For lobstermen in Maine, lost gear is a frustrating reality of the job. Buoy lines are always getting ripped apart by big oil tankers and cruise ships, which makes it extremely difficult to find the traps on the bottom of the ocean, plus the buoys are almost never found once they go adrift. Every now […]
Lobstering in the Gulf of Maine is tough work. There are a multitude of tasks that cause never ending wear and tear on just about every body part that you could think of, especially in areas like the shoulders, lower back, elbows, and knees. Now, thanks to David Hiltz Jr., of Deer Isle, there’s a […]
The winter months are hard on lobstermen. There are still lobsters to be caught, but they’re further offshore and New England’s particular version of Mother Nature rarely cooperates with the men and women brave enough to try and challenge her for their livelihood on the frigid Gulf of Maine. In the summertime the lobsters can […]
Stubbornness isn’t typically looked at as a virtuous character trait, but in regards to Portland’s working waterfront, it might be the saving grace for what remains of the local lobstering and fishing industries. As new restaurants continue to open up and luxury condos continue to be built all over the old wharves that this city […]
This past month the crew on the F/V Foxy Lady saw quite a few pre-dawn mornings. This means a few things- foggy steams out of the harbor, grumpy lobstermen (myself included), and brilliant sunrises. Enjoy:
I always try to explain to people just how difficult it is working on a lobster boat, especially in rough weather. Well last week I had the rare opportunity to get some video footage on a steam to some offshore traps when the wind suddenly picked up. Keep in mind, as rough as these videos […]
