Lobster ‘sustainable’ effort moves forward

AUGUSTA – An effort to have Maine’s lobster industry certified as “sustainable” is moving forward with the hiring of a Canadian company to review the state’s lobster industry.

The Governor’s Working Group on Maine Lobster Sustainability said Thursday it has contracted with Moody Marine Ltd. of Nova Scotia to begin an overview of the industry.

The group is working to have Maine’s signature seafood certified as sustainable by the London-based Marine Stewardship Council, which evaluates fishing practices worldwide.

Fisheries that are certified can use a seal that assures consumers that the seafood was not overfished or harvested in a way that harms the ocean. With consumers demanding more “green” food products, task force members say the lobster industry stands to lose out if it doesn’t get certified.