A competition to protect one billion lobster eggs through the industry’s longstanding V-notching conservation practice was launched last week.   The statewide team challenge officially kicked off on July 1 and runs through September 25, National Lobster Day accoriding to a press release issued by the Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) one of the hosts of the challenge.

The 2026 teams are the Downeast Tail Pinchers, captained by Sonny Beal and Jacob Knowles; the Midcoast Notchmen, captained by Brian Billings and John Tripp and the Southern Maine Future Catch, captained by Christian LaMontagne and Chris Welch.

Lobstermen are invited to join their regional team.  Participants wll receive custom Billion Egg Challenge V-notch jars to save their notches throughout the competition.  Each week, participating lobstermen will report the number of egg-bearing females they V-notched.  Team totals and progress toward the one billion egg goal will be updated weekly on the challenge leaderboard.

“V-notching is about tradition, conservation and heritage,” said Sonny Beal, lobsterman and chairman of the MLA.  “Ive taught my boys that every V–notched lobster is an investdment in the future of Maine’s lobster fishery.  I’m pround that my son and I are both part of this competition.”

“Why does protecting one billion eggs matter?  Those eggs could grow into 10 milion future lobsters,” said Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association.  “The Billi Egg Challenge is a way to celebrate Maine’s world-class stewardship of the lobster resource and make sure consumers, managers, and the public understand the conservation leadership of Maine lobstermen.”

Lobstermen, businesses and lobster fans can join the challenge, support a team, or become a sponsor at:  www.billionegghallenge.org.