GLOBAL LOBSTER CONVERSATION IN PHIPPSBURG FIRE HALL

TIMES RECORD - A contingent of six lobstermen from around the globe shared stories and best practices with their local counterparts Thursday night during an international dialogue hosted at the Phippsburg Fire Hall.

The event generated talk of greater collaboration between Maine and Canadian lobstermen, more ergonomically friendly gear used in Australia, and how Mainers might be able to break into a lucrative Asian market where New Zealand lobstermen sell catch for $28 per pound.

Maine lobstermen last year sold their catch at an average price of $2.93 per pound after fetching $3.50 per pound in 2008 and $4.39 per pound in 2007.