National Lobster Day Officially Slated for September 25th, 2017

PORTLAND, Maine, Aug. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third year in a row, the Maine Lobster industry will celebrate National Lobster Day on September 25^th, 2017. The resolution, authored by Senators Angus King and Susan Collins of Maine, designates the national holiday recognizing the 5,600 hardworking independent lobstermen and women in Maine, and their long history of sustainable fishing practices. 

"Maine's lobster fishery has defined coastal communities for centuries and continues to be an integral driver of our state's economy today," Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. "The industry sustains thousands of Maine families and helps draw millions of tourists to Maine every year. Lobster's popularity has solidified Maine's standing on the international culinary stage, and it has made our state a key player in the global seafood market. 'National Lobster Day' provides an opportunity to celebrate lobster's significant contributions to Maine's heritage and economy and thank the hardworking men and women who haul lobster off our shores every day."

The Maine Lobster industry is coming off another record setting year, landing more than 130 million pounds with a value of $533.1 million dollars in 2016. The success of the iconic fishery is in large part due to the unparalleled sustainability practices put in place by fisherman more than 150 years ago that have allowed it to thrive. The industry is one of the largest in Maine, supporting not only the fishermen but others within the community who contribute to the fishery and help to bring the beloved product from trap to table so diners around the globe can enjoy.

"We again thank Senators King and Collins for their support with this resolution and designating September 25^th as National Lobster Day," said Matt Jacobson, the Executive Director of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative (MLMC). "Lobster is a food most commonly associated with summer, and with the marking of National Lobster Day we hope to underscore that early fall is still prime lobster season here in Maine and a great time for diners and home cooks to enjoy fresh Maine Lobster." 

The Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative will be celebrating the national holiday in September encouraging chefs and consumers across the country to enjoy Maine Lobster and recognize the individuals who for generations have sustained this vital industry.

About the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative

The Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative (MLMC), founded in 2013, is funded by Maine Lobster harvesters, dealers and processors to grow demand, both for whole live lobster and a variety of value-added products. The MLMC supports that objective by promoting the core values of the Maine Lobster industry, which are sustainability and traceability that's deeply rooted in tradition. Maine Lobster achieved the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification in 2013, allowing Maine Lobster to certify its long-standing sustainable practices. The industry has been self-regulating for more than 150 years.

SOURCE Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative