Lobster Buoys

Buoys mark lobstermen's territories Maine lobstermen divide fishing areas through informal agreements, and mark their territory by tying each trap to a line and floating buoy painted with an individual's colors §. Long- time residents claim and defend their territories from newcomers and men from other harbors. Family relationships are extremely important in deciding who lobsters and where.
buoys courtesy of Vinalhaven Historical Society, Vinalhaven, Maine

Dividing Fishing Areas

Meeting in the fish house
Monhegan Island, Maine
photo © Jeff Rotman

Maine lobster territories
courtesy of James M. Acheson

More Information:

Ocean Planet Exhibition Floorplan

gene carl feldman (gene@seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov) (301) 286-9428

Judith Gradwohl, Smithsonian Institution (Curator/Ocean Planet)