Maine Lobster Community Alliance

09/02/2026

Remembering Alfred Osgood of Vinalhaven — a true Maine fishing legend.

Known as a “herring whisperer,” a highliner lobsterman and one of the hardest-working fishermen on the coast, Alfred built a reputation through decades of chasing herring, hauling offshore lobster gear and pushing his Starlight and Starlight Express boats hard.

His skill, drive and unmistakable voice on the VHF made him a larger-than-life presence in Maine’s fishing industry.

In this guest column, Brian Robbins remembers Alfred and his remarkable fishing legacy: https://buff.ly/Q7kRgun

09/01/2026

The September issue of Landings is here!

September may mean back to school and the unofficial end of summer for some, but for Maine lobstermen, fall means the season is kicking into high gear.

This month, we’re following the final stretch of the Billion Egg Challenge, meeting creative coastal entrepreneurs, exploring new lobster research and looking at what the future of lobster management could hold.

Plus, humpbacks along the Maine coast, marketing Maine lobster, and a remembrance of renowned Vinalhaven fisherman Alfred Osgood.

Read the September issue of Landings!

https://buff.ly/xXf4OUK

08/31/2026

🦞 Billion Egg Challenge: Week 9! 🦞

The numbers keep climbing! Maine lobstermen have now protected an incredible 611.95 MILLION lobster eggs through V-notching — putting us 61.2% of the way to ONE BILLION!

Southern Maine Future Catch is still holding onto the top spot, with Downeast Tail Pinchers and Midcoast Notchmen keeping the pressure on.

But this challenge is about more than bragging rights. Every notch represents Maine’s longstanding commitment to conservation and protecting the future of this iconic fishery.

Remember, there is still time to sign up to win the grand prize of Free Lobster for a Year! Visit www.BillionEggChallenge.org to enter

08/28/2026

What makes the Maine (or American) lobster, Homarus americanus a true lobster?

An invertebrate (meaning they do not have bones) that lives in the ocean, has 10 legs (8 walking, 2 claws), a protected and segmented body (carapace and tail) antennae and stalked eyes.

Their 10 legs (decapod) make it related to other familiar sea creatures like shrimp and crabs!

08/25/2026

Maine's coast is more than a postcard.

It's home to fishing families, working harbors, and generations of people who have built their lives on the water.

Every day, the Maine Lobster Community Alliance works to strengthen these communities through education, research, and programs that help ensure Maine's coastal way of life continues to flourish.

📍 Frenchboro

08/24/2026

🦞 Billion Egg Challenge Leaderboard: Week 8 🦞

Eight weeks at the top! Team Southern Maine Future Catch continues to lead the Billion Egg Challenge with an impressive 203.46 MILLION eggs protected.

The competition isn’t slowing down, though. Downeast Tail Pinchers and Midcoast Notchmen are right behind them, and together the three teams have now reached over 532 MILLION eggs protected.

That puts the challenge at 53.2% of the way to ONE BILLION eggs! 🎯

Every V-notch reported represents a choice made by a harvester to support the future of Maine’s lobster resource. When those individual conservation efforts are added together, the numbers tell a pretty incredible story — over half a billion eggs protected and counting.

🦞 Harvesters: keep those notches coming! Be sure to report your V-notches, and if you haven’t joined the challenge yet, there’s still plenty of time to jump in and join a team. Submit your notches or join a team at: www.BillionEggChallenge.org

08/21/2026

🦞 We’re feeling incredibly grateful after our 2nd annual Tides & Traditions event last night in Stonington. 🦞

Tides & Traditions is more than a celebration. It’s a chance to come together around the heritage, people, and way of life that make Maine’s coast so incredible, all while supporting the MLCA’s work to keep these communities strong for generations to come.

A special shoutout to Jenni Steele and Brian Billings for all their help bringing the evening together, and to Burnt Cove Boil serving up an amazing lobster dinner.

And, of course, an enormous thank you to the sponsors who made Tides & Traditions possible:

Quirk Auto, First National Bank, Billings Diesel & Marine Service, Greenhead Lobster, Eaton Paving & Excavation LLC, New England Marine & Industrial, Island Fishing Gear & NAPA Auto Parts, Hamilton Marine, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, The Island Agency Real Estate

Thank you for celebrating with us, believing in our mission, and helping us preserve Maine’s lobstering heritage and support the people and places that keep it alive.

08/21/2026

Lobsters, like all animals, rely on a unique and remarkable sensory system to survive. These senses help them hide, feed and communicate!

08/20/2026

Recently molted lobsters, known in the industry as shedders, have left behind their old, hard shell as they grow and are in the process of developing a new one. During this vulnerable period, their new shell is soft and provides much less protection than a fully hardened shell.

Shedders are especially susceptible to predators and can be more sensitive to stress. That stress can come from their surroundings, changes in water conditions, or even from being handled on a lobster boat.

That’s why Maine lobstermen understand the importance of taking extra care when handling shedders. Gentle handling helps reduce stress and gives these vulnerable lobsters the best chance of surviving when they are returned to the water—or making it safely back to the dock when they are legal keepers.

For lobstermen, handling shedders carefully is another important part of protecting the health and sustainability of Maine’s lobster resource.

08/18/2026

🌿 This summer, Holdfast! A Seaweed Exhibition in Rockland showcases the beauty and creativity of Maine's marine algae through works by 30 Maine artists, along with talks exploring the connection between art, science, and the sea.

📖 Learn more in the latest issue of Landings:

By Melissa WatermanClamber around nearly any portion of the Maine coast and you will encounter seaweed. There is no one seaweed; the name encompasses all sorts of different types of marine algae, many of which have been used for years by Mainers for culinary or medicinal purposes. The state is well....