Maine’s lobster industry is changing. You may have heard about lobster populations moving to northern waters or about fishery regulations that make lobstermen question the future of the lobster industry as the cost of doing business in the working waterfront increases. 

For lobstermen Krista Tripp and Emma Fernald, those uncertainties have led them to diversify the species harvest, grow, and sell, seeking out and growing alternative species like elvers, oysters, and scallops. Emma and Krista are strengthening their livelihood in the working waterfront by diversifying their work, building businesses in both wild harvest and aquaculture fisheries and exploring the potential of new species and seafood products. Through programs like Fishing Plus, Island Institute is supporting new entrepreneurial ventures on the working waterfront.