July 2013 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 9. Commercial Fishing News MAINE LOBSTER COMMUNITY HOSTS CHEFS FROM SOUTH KOREA
Four chefs from high-end hotels in South Korea have had their interest in Maine lobster peaked to the point where they are traveling to Maine to spend a week learning about our favorite crustacean. From June 17- 21, the chefs will get a hands-on education in Maine lobster from trap to table. The educational program, a joint effort between Calendar Islands Maine Lobster and Maine Lobster Promotion Council, is being con- ducted with the support of lobster dealers and processors as well as program sponsors. Educating international chefs and buy-
Two bills signed by Governor Paul R. LePage in the past week will help the Maine lobster industry take advantage of the recent historic abundance in the fi shery. The Governor last week signed into law LD 486, which will ultimately provide an annual budget of over $2 million to conduct a global marketing campaign for Maine lobsters.
On Monday of this week, the Gover- nor also signed LD 1020, which will allow Swans Island lobstermen to increase the number of traps they can fi sh.
The marketing bill is the culmination of many industry meetings and conver- sations aimed at developing strategies to increase the value of Maine lobster across all segments of the industry. It creates a new marketing entity called the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative, which will be formed in September 2013. Through surcharges on harvester, deal- er and processor licenses, the marketing bill is designed to fund an aggressive marketing
In keeping with his promise to continue an open line of communications with the lobster industry, Patrick Keliher, Commis- sioner of the Department of Marine Re- sources, will be holding 4 meetings during July. DMR has closely monitored the 2013 lobster season. The Commissioner is hold- ing these meetings to seek your input about the season to date, to share information about what is happening along the coast, brainstorm future needs, and to provide an update regarding our Canadian counter- parts.
The meetings are scheduled at 4:00 PM
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ers is key to increasing demand for Maine lobster worldwide. South Korea represents an emerging market opportunity for Maine lobster, with a high growth rate and high per capita seafood consumption (126.5 pounds live weight). Maine lobster exports to South Korea increased 217% from 2011 to 2012 with a value of $1.5 million, according to data from the Maine International Trade Center.
Food Export Northeast has been instru- mental in developing this international con- nection. They facilitated the introduction
Governor Signs Two Bills to Support Lobster Industry
program that will highlight lobster’s many unique attributes, including sustainability of the harvest.
In March, the Governor announced that the Maine lobster fi shery had received the prestigious international Marine Steward- ship Council’s Sustainable Seafood Certi- fi cation at the International Boston Seafood Show. MSC certifi cation recognizes eco- logically sound practices, from the harvest through delivery to consumer. The bill for lobstermen fi shing in the Swans Island Lobster Conservation Area will extend the limit the number of traps they can have from 475 to 550. “Living and working on an island poses some unique challenges,” said Governor LePage. “With this moderate increase in the number of traps available for Swan’s Island fi shermen, there is a good balance between continued conser- vation and increased economic opportunity that will make this year-round com munity more prosperous.”
DMR Seeking Input on the 2013 Lobster Season
in the following locations: Tues., July 9, Rockland, Oceanside
High School - Auditorium, 400 Broadway Thurs., July 11, Machias, Rose Gaffney Elementary School - Gym, 15 Rose Gaffney Road
Tues., July 16, Ellsworth, Ellsworth
High School - Auditorium, 299 State Street Wed., July 17, Scarborough, Scarbor- ough High School - Cafeteria, 11 Municipal Drive
For any questions, please contact Sarah Cotnoir at 624-6596.
between Samjin F.S., a company specializ- ing in importing American food products to South Korea, and Calendar Islands Maine Lobster through their international buyers’ mission. They also sponsored the education- al program bringing the chefs to Maine. Lobster dealers and processors up and down the coast are opening their doors to the chefs in a cooperative effort to provide a comprehensive overview of the lobster industry. The chefs will have the opportunity to go out on a lobster boat and see how lob- sters are individually caught and handled, adhering to best practices for sustainability. A highlight for the chefs will certainly be a lobster cooking class at the Mid-Coast School of Technology led by celebrity fi sherman and author Linda Greenlaw and Maine Lobster Chef Ambassadors Kerry Al- tiero, Wilfred Beriau and host Josh Gamage. The chefs will attend an industry meet- ing to hear presentations from experts on topics including best handling practices, in- ternational marketing, sustainable fi sheries management and best shipping practices. The educational program creates the
opportunity not only to sell more lobster to the chefs’ high end hotel properties, but also to create four Maine Lobster Chef Am- bassadors in South Korea who are opinion leaders and can infl uence other restaurants in the area.
Program Sponsors: Maine Lobster Promotion Council, Calendar Islands Maine Lobster, Lobster Research Educa- tion & Development Fund, Food Export Northeast, Maine Restaurant Association/ Maine Tourism Association, East Coast Seafood, Greenhead Lobster, Department of Economic and Community Development/ Department of Tourism, Maine International Trade Center.
Processing plants on tour: Linda Bean’s Perfect Maine Lobster in Rockland, Maine Fair Trade Lobster in Prospect Harbor, Shucks Maine Lobster in Richmond. Dealers on tour: Calendar Islands Maine Lobster in Portland, Greenhead Lobster in Stonington, Ready Seafood in Portland, Seaview Lobster Company in Kittery, Vinalhaven Fishermen’s Co-op in Vinalhaven.
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