Is it possible for an outsider to move to Maine and make a living catching lobsters? (Yarmouth: wedding, to buy)

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by spose

Great posts, Island Mermaid, Mommax3plus2, and Maineah! Probably not be what AuburnAL hoped to hear, but it is what it is and obviously not as simple or easy as many people think. Lobster fishermen are special people!

Nope probably not what they wanted to hear but better than showing up here and finding out afterwards!

[Coaster]

One of my brothers lobsters parttime on Penobscot Bay. He got in before the regulations got too onerous, but every year he and his lobstering partner talk about quitting because it's so darn much trouble these days.

As for someone coming in from outside and getting into lobstering: Satan will be running a ski lift on Mount Hades before that happens. Lobstermen are extremely territorial and for good reason. Their long list of unwritten rules has maintained a healthy fishery while other states have seen lobster populations decline from overfishing. Maine lobstermen don't want to follow in those wakes.

[tankratt]

Where there is a will, there is a way. It may not be easy, but if it was everyone would do it.

[Zarathu]

Originally Posted by tankratt

Where there is a will, there is a way. It may not be easy, but if it was everyone would do it.

Not this time.

[tankratt]

Originally Posted by Zarathu

Not this time.

Don't quite buy that, I do know someone who will make it happen, no offense to you, I just know this person and his attitude.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by tankratt

Don't quite buy that, I do know someone who will make it happen, no offense to you, I just know this person and his attitude.

Good luck with that one, I take it you don't know Maine Loberstermen's attitudes and the industry.

[tankratt]

You wonder how anything got done in this country with all the nay sayers.

[retiredtinbender]

There was a guy in town rom outastate that did lobstering. He moved her from Mass in the 90's and got interested in it. Retired and just want someting to keep him busy. He started out as a stern man for a while then started with a few pots of his own. He foound out he had cancer a year or so ago and quite a few lobstermen around helped him and his wife out until he passed a month or so ago. They still help her out. THen again it's not Matinicus and lobstering isn't territorial. We're not as cramped in fishing area here. Some areas who fiishes wher is a matter of survival, letierally. But still, you don't just go blurting in.

[Maineah]

Nobody is saying it can't be done. It just isn't practical for most. Two years minimum on the stern of a boat bagging bait and washing decks isn't fun. Then you have to wait for a license to become available which could be many more years. You don't make a lot as a sternman either so there is a survival thing too. Kids living at home make good sternmen as they have little need for money while they clock their hours. If someone really wanted to do it they could. I have no idea why anyone would want to do it that badly. It really is a nasty job, very hard work, and there is no gaurantee you will ever get a license.

[retiredtinbender]

You're right, not a fun job and not many want to do it. And not practical for steady income. I know a guy gets off work in the morning and goes to the dock looking for a little extra money. He says he can always pick some up as a sternman and generally he's the only one looking. He has a heckuva work ethic though. 3 or 4 jobs going.