Marketplace · Thursday, July 30, 2026
Maine's lobster industry, which supplies 80% of US lobster, is struggling with an aging workforce and high barriers to entry for new fishermen. Obtaining a commercial lobster license can take up to 15 years. A program called 'Lift All Boats' in Portland is working to introduce young people to lobstering, providing pathways for them to gain experience and eventually obtain licenses, aiming to ensure the industry's future.
“The people who catch those lobsters are getting older. And it's actually very difficult for new people to break into the industry.”
“The main lobster industry is a closed fishery. So that means no new licenses are issued generally until fishermen give up their licenses. That means the wait list for a new commercial lobster license can be up to 15 years long.”
“He said, "The barrier to entry has increased so much, anywhere from licenses to boats to gear," and that didn't exist when our cohort was growing up in the '60s, '70s, '80s.”
“I just have the desire to just be out there longer, have more traps, and really take the label as a lobsterman.”