Notice to Maine Lobster Harvesters Regarding Direct-to-Consumer Sales

Dear Maine Lobster Harvester,

These are tough times and I know that many of you are turning to direct-to-consumer sales to help generate some income. Here’s some information to help you.

Public health and safety must be maintained at all times

• If you or any of your workers are exhibiting any signs/symptoms of illness, they should stay at home.
• Maintain six-foot social distancing for workers and members of the public at all times.  There aren’t any exceptions!
• Ignoring this advice could further the spread of COVID-19 and delay economic recovery

With regard to direct to consumer sale of lobster by harvesters, you can:

• Sell live lobsters direct to consumers with your Maine harvester license.
• Sell cooked whole lobsters IF it is cooked on-site, meaning where you are peddling your lobster (parking lot, wharf, etc.).
• If you sell whole cooked lobster, make sure it’s fully cooked (145-165 degree internal temperature) and cooking and packaging supplies are sanitized.

Lobstermen cannot:

• Sell lobster that has been cooked somewhere else, such as your home, without obtaining additional licenses.
• Process lobster and sell the meat at remote locations where you are peddling (parking lot, wharf, etc.) without other licenses

Other important considerations:

• Do not under-value your product – It’s important to maintain the value consumers have come to expect or it could hurt you in the long run. The Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative has offered advice on this: https://t.e2ma.net/message/7ju6vf/zdovzcb?fbclid=IwAR0hz-g06rEZLmVa5wrTBE-iLjLQCKriE91S2Ho9UQKRd6NpBE8M5nMTaW4
• If you have any questions, contact Marine Patrol. Contact information is online at https://www.maine.gov/dmr/marine-patrol/marine-contact.html

Patrick Keliher
Commissioner
Maine Department of Marine Resources