ST. GEORGE (AP) — Maine Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher said four companies are expressing interest in opening or expanding lobster-processing operations.
Keliher, who didn’t identify the companies, said expanding processing capacity is a priority.
As it stands, only a fraction of Maine’s lobster catch is processed in the state. Tens of millions of pounds, however, are shipped to Canada to be processed and sold to restaurants, retailers, theme parks, cruise ship lines and other buyers around the world.
Last summer, there was so much lobster that prices tanked in Maine and Canada, prompting Canadians to block shipments at lobster plants.
The Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/12rF3vN ) said Keliher made his remarks at the first of four meetings to be held along Maine’s coast this month.
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