‘It is stunning that we keep getting surprised’

The U.S. lobster industry, primarily based in Maine, experienced a significant decline in 2024, with catches plummeting to a 15-year low, raising concerns about the northern migration of lobsters to colder Canadian waters due to warming ocean temperatures. This decline not only impacts consumer prices, which soared due to high demand and limited supply, but also threatens the livelihoods of many Mainers dependent on the lobster trade. Efforts to address these challenges include a new National Ocean Biodiversity Strategy and state initiatives aimed at rebuilding coastal infrastructure and studying lobster habitats.