Maine Lobster Industry with host Phil Torrey

My name is Phillip Torrey and I am the 6th generation of my family to live in Winter Harbor and make their living on the water. I started going on the boat with my dad when I was very little and by the time I was 12 my dad and uncle had made me my own skiff to fish lobster traps out of. When I graduated High School in 1990 I worked as a deck hand ground fishing from June through September, lobstering Oct through December, and Shrimping and Scalloping throughout the winter. By the spring of 1991 I launched my first boat and started fishing on my own. There have been many changes in the 30 years since I started and regulations have put an end (or near end) to a lot of the different fisheries we once worked in. Now the majority of people that fish have their sights set on lobster. The lobster industry in Maine has thrived and continues to thrive but right now we are being faced with some of our toughest challenges to date. When the very first lobster licenses were issued my great grandfather stood in line down in Augusta and received the 10th one issued. He past it down to my grandfather who past it down to my uncle who passed it down to me. I am passionate about what we do, informed about what’s going on, and know lots of great people from Cutler to Kittery who either fish themselves or are involved in the many different aspects of our industry. I look forward to sharing our way of life with you and answering any questions you may have.