Veteran lobstermen in Maine are facing increasing challenges as rising diesel prices and economic pressures force them to adapt their fishing practices along the coast near Portland. Willis Spear, 75, who began lobstering with his father in 1958, has reduced the speed of his boat to conserve fuel, extending his workday by several hours. Departing before sunrise around 5 a.m., Spear now returns between 2 and 3 p.m., compared to 1 p.m. in the past. The longer hours leave him exhausted, sometimes causing him to fall asleep before completing federally mandated catch reports.
Spear highlighted the disparity between the rising cost of living—which he estimates has increased by about 20 percent—and stagnant lobster prices, which have not kept pace with his expenses. Although he had previously supported former President Donald Trump, particularly for his opposition to offshore wind farms, Spear expressed disappointment with Trump’s performance, saying neither political party appears to offer relief. He remains undecided ahead of the midterm elections in Maine, particularly the tightly contested U.S. Senate race between Republican incumbent Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson. Spear expressed skepticism that the election outcome would improve his situation, adding bluntly that the government would continue to impose hardships regardless of who wins.
Senator Collins, who has served since 1996 and is the sole incumbent Republican Senate candidate in a state won by the Democrats in the 2024 presidential election, is campaigning on her reputation as an independent voice. She has garnered support from former Democratic senator Joe Manchin, who endorsed her as a key figure worth preserving in the Senate. Collins has repeatedly distanced herself from Trump, having voted to convict him during his 2021 impeachment trial and criticizing some of his policies.
Jackson, a former logger and state Senate president, is attempting to capitalise on Trump’s declining popularity by portraying Collins as too aligned with the former president. In their October debate, Collins denied being Trump’s favorite senator.
Other lobstermen interviewed convey varied perspectives on the political contest and the economic challenges they face. Jim Holden, 77, who already voted for Collins, praised her influence and efforts to oppose trade policies harmful to Maine’s fishing industry. Collins has opposed tariffs imposed by Trump on Canadian goods, including seafood, and welcomed Canada's subsequent removal of lobster and other products from retaliatory tariffs, which she said could have caused serious harm to local fishermen.
Holden acknowledged mixed views among fishermen about tariffs but suggested many see them as broadly beneficial. He expressed opposition to Jackson, citing past disagreements on lobster trap limits.
Another lobsterman, Kevin, who declined to give his last name, pointed to diesel prices rising by nearly $2 per gallon since he bought his boat earlier this year. He noted that fuel costs affect not only operating expenses but also the price of bait, which has more than doubled over the past 15 years—from about $110 to between $240 and $340 per barrel. Kevin also observed that lobster demand appears to be weakening amid economic uncertainty, saying fewer people are buying the product. He has worked in merchant shipping during the winter months for several years, but rising difficulties in the lobster industry may compel him to return to sea full-time.
Together, these accounts illustrate the economic strain on Maine’s lobstermen, compounded by fluctuating fuel prices, trade issues, and political uncertainty, as they continue to navigate the evolving challenges in the region’s fishing industry.