NOAA Funds University of Maine Research on North American Lobster

The University of Maine’s research program has secured $2 million in funding from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to enhance scientific studies surrounding the North American lobster (Homarus americanus). This initiative aims to tackle ongoing biological and socio-economic challenges faced by the lobster fishery across key regions, including the Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, and Southern New England.

Funding Breakdown and Objectives

The funding, distributed over four years, will primarily support the Maine Sea Grant Program’s efforts. Of the total amount, $1.4 million will be allocated to the American Lobster Initiative, a competitive research competition that will be announced in the coming spring. This competition is designed to foster collaborative research projects that address priority needs while strengthening partnerships between scholars and the lobster industry.

The remaining $600,000 will provide essential second-year support for four previously established North American lobster research awards. These awards are led by the University of Maine, in collaboration with the Maine Department of Marine Resources and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Impact on Marine Biology Research

Amalia Harrington, an assistant professor of marine biology at the University of Maine, expressed the importance of this funding: “These funds will enable my project team and me to continue to grow our dataset and fill in important data gaps around lobster growth, allowing us to understand better how a changing environment may affect how lobsters grow and reproduce.”

The Value of American Lobster

American lobster is one of the most valuable species in the United States. According to NOAA data, approximately 113 million pounds of lobster, valued at $715 million, were harvested in the US in 2024. This research initiative is poised to contribute significantly to the sustainability and economic viability of the lobster fishing industry.

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