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V O L . X X V N O. X X V I I I D E C E M B E R 9 , 2 0 1 9 8 B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S N E W S F RO M A RO U N D T H E S TAT E Connecting job seekers to employers is a another way Biddeford makes a difference. Contact Brad Favreau for more information. Brad.Favreau@biddefordmaine.org BiddefordMaine.org N B A A F F I L I AT E T I C K E T S A V A I L A B L E AT maineredclaws.com THE ROAD TO BOSTON BEGINS IN MAINE Different findings with a common theme: lobsters are on the move B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r O r o n o — Two new studies published by University of Maine scientists point to the role of a warming ocean and local oceano- graphic differences in the rise and fall of lobster populations along the coast from southern New England to Atlantic Canada. Maine's lobster catch was valued at $484.5 million last year, according to the state Department of Marine Resources. It is the state's largest fishery by far, account- ing for 76% of the $637 million fishing industry — making the findings that much more significant. One study suggests the Gulf of Maine lobster fishery may be entering a period of decline, as a "cresting wave" of lobster abundance heads northward in response to the region's changing climate. Published in the scientific journal "Ecological Applications," the study was led by Noah Oppenheim, who completed his research as a UMaine graduate student in 2016, with co-authors Richard Wahle, Damian Brady and Andrew Goode from UMaine's School of Marine Sciences, and Andrew Pershing from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. But the other study says that baby lobsters, which later reach a harvestable size, appear to be finding refuge from warming waters in cooler deep-water habi- tats. That, perhaps, provides a buffer from declines in Maine's lobster fishery. Published in the journal "Global Change Biology," the study was led by cur- rent UMaine marine science doctoral student Andrew Goode and co-authored by Brady, Wahle and Robert Steneck, all of the School of Marine Sciences. Both studies take advantage of the American Lobster Settlement Index, according to a news release. Initiated in 1989, the index is an annual monitoring program that quanti- fies newly settled lobsters at more than 100 sites along the New England and Atlantic Canada coast. Quantifying the number of baby lobsters is considered useful as a predictor of future trends of adult lobsters in the fishery. The index was founded by Wahle, who besides serving as a UMaine research pro- fessor is director of the Lobster Institute. The index is a collaboration of govern- ment marine resource agencies, academic institutions and industry members who undertake and pay for the divers and boats needed to conduct the survey. Wahle's lab serves as the data hub. "No one has a crystal ball, but in a field where sweeping statements are made about the global impacts of climate change, these studies underscore the importance of having a fine-scale, local understanding of both oceanography and organism biology as we project the impacts of a changing climate on the future of our coastal communities and economy," Wahle said in the release. Maine lobster landings peaked in 2016, when 132.6 million pounds were harvested, after four years in the range of 122 million to 127 million pounds. In 2018, Maine's lobster harvesters landed 119.64 million pounds, the seventh time in history that landings exceeding 110 million pounds. B R I E F Maine's lobster catch was valued at $484.5 million last year, according to the state Department of Marine Resources. It is the state's largest fishery by far, accounting for 76% of the $637 million fishing industry. F I L E P H O T O / L A U R I E S C H R E I B E R Two new studies Two new studies published by published by Uni- Uni- versity of Maine versity of Maine scientists point to scientists point to the role of a warm- the role of a warm- ing ocean and local ing ocean and local oceanographic dif- oceanographic dif- ferences in the rise ferences in the rise and fall of lobster and fall of lobster populations. populations.

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