PORTLAND, Maine, Sept. 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Peak lobster season in Maine is still going strong and today, Maine Lobster lovers everywhere have even more reason to celebrate the iconic seafood as the U.S. Senate again recognized September 25 as the official National Lobster Day holiday for the fourth year in a row. A resolution, authored by Senators Angus King and Susan Collins of Maine, designates today in honor of the thousands of hardworking Mainers employed by this storied and sustainable fishery.

"Lobsters are an economic force in coastal Maine communities and have supported the livelihoods of generations … [and have] become a Maine icon, with an international reputation that plays an important role in attracting millions of visitors to our state each summer," Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. "We're proud that the Senate unanimously passed this resolution honoring not only the lobster, but the thousands of Mainers who work day-in and day-out to harvest, cook, and ship our state's prized catch."

In 2017, the Maine Lobster industry celebrated another plentiful harvest, landing more than 110 million pounds with a value of $433.7 million. One of the largest industries in Maine, it contributes more than $1 billion to the state's economy each year. Lobster supports not only fishermen but many others within the community—dealers, processors, bait shop owners, ice truck drivers, lobster shack cooks and more—who contribute to the fishery and help bring the beloved product to diners everywhere.

Thanks to sustainability practices put in place by the lobstermen over 150 years ago, Maine's lobster landings remain strong. Conservation efforts, such as throwing back under-sized and over-sized lobsters, identifying and releasing egg-bearing females, limiting the number of traps and more, help to maintain the population so lobstermen can pass down the tradition from generation to generation.

"Lobster is important to Maine's identity and a major driver of our economy, and we've preserved the population through our sustainability measures so much that we're fishing more than enough to share nationwide," said Matt Jacobson, the Executive Director of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative (MLMC). "Even as the summer fades, we want people to know that our peak season is still going strong – early fall is the perfect time for restaurant diners and home cooks to enjoy fresh Maine Lobster."

Join the MLMC in celebrating the national holiday on September 25! Home cooks and chefs can find tips and recipe inspiration on our website at www.lobsterfrommaine.com/prep-eats. For those dining out, be sure to ask for Maine Lobster to make sure you're enjoying the sweetest, most sustainable lobster on earth.

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.

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SOURCE Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative