Canada’s decision to remove seafood and fish products from its retaliatory tariff list is welcome news and a relief to Maine lobstermen and the businesses and communities that depend on the lobster fishery according to a press release issued this morning from the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, Inc.

A 25% tariff on American lobster would have severely disrupted one of Maine lobster’s most important markets at the height of our fall fishing season, putting downward pressure on the price paid to lobstermen and threatening an industry already operating on razor-thin margins.

“Keeping seafood tariff-free protects our shared supply chain and avoids unnecessary economic harm on both sides of the border,” said Patrice McCaron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association.

“We appreciate Canada’s decision to listen to the concerns raised by the seafood industry and remove seafood from these tariffs.  We urbe both  governments to continue protecting the longstanding tariff-free trade in lobster that benefits fishermen, businesses and coasa; communities throughout North America.”

Yesterday MLA issued a oress release saying:  “Canada is one of the most important markets for Maine lobster, purchasing roughly half of our lobster during the critical fall fishing season.  A 25% tariff could disrupt that market overnight, putting significant downward pressure on the price paid to lobstermen.  The impact would be felt immediately on Maine’s docks.  Lobstermen are already facing historicaly high operating costs, an increasingly difficult business environment and razor-thin margins.  If prices fall far enough, many simply will not be able to afford to fish.”