New Program Aims to Help Lobstermen Adapt to Industry Changes

The nonprofit Island Institute is teaming up with the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs to launch the “Fishing Plus Accelerator.”

“The Fishing Plus program is really about helping fishing families explore new business opportunities to diversify their income,” Jeff Frank, a senior community development officer with the Island Institute, said.

It’s not just tariffs; broad economic uncertainty could weigh on Maine’s lobster industry

Though Canada has placed tariffs on an initial round of U.S. goods worth some $30 billion, lobster is not on that list. Still, some members of the industry and economic experts worry that broader global economy uncertainty may drive down demand for the product in Maine.