There they sit, painted red and blue...
It's springtime in Maine, there's so much to do.
Winter is over, much milder than the rest,
The flowers are coming, the birds making their nest.
He's up at 4:30, stumbles down the stairs,
To haul his traps in trawls or pairs.
Put wood in the boiler, make his lunch, feed the dog...
Drive down to the co-op, to see it's thick-o-fog!
They're a tough old bunch...
the lobster fishermen from Maine.
Lobster prices so low...
could drive anyone insane!
With Stinson's closing, I feel it's a mess...
Where they get their bait is anyone's guess!
They work long hours, sometimes in pain,
Too many rules, and this sink rope is lame!
For our husbands who make lobster fishing their life...
I wonder what's next...being a fisherman's wife.
For all that hard work, going out to haul...
Perhaps it's time for us to win Power Ball!
Welcome to DELA!
"By the fishermen, for the fishermen."
ABOUT US Down East Lobstermen’s Association (DELA) represents Maine fishermen and their families to sustain traditional lobstering as it has been upheld for generations. DELA is a qualified exempt organization under
Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
DELA was formed by a small group of lobstermen in
the Jonesport, Maine Area. Since it's humble beginning, this association has become
known state and nationwide. Our membership includes lobstermen from Kittery to
Eastport. We also have members in the Atlantic States, such as New Hampshire
and Massachusetts. All of these lobstermen share the same interest and concerns
about their fishery. We also have Business Associate and Avid Supporter
memberships from as far as the West Coast, such as Washington, state.
DELA would be proud to have you join us as a member. Some people say, “why be a
member?” The more the membership, the bigger the voice. When you look at our
fishery from where we came to where it is going, we need to stay united. When a
package of hot dogs cost more than what a lobsterman gets paid for a pound of
lobster off the boat, this is a big problem! With the cost of operating
climbing, it’s only going to get tougher, especially when you factor in all of
the changing regulations as well. Over the past year, DELA has really stepped
up to its presence as a leader in our fishery. We have earned the respect from
many for being straight forward and holding to our positions. DELA will not
double talk. We mean what we say and say what we mean. That’s “Downeast
Tradition". Some people will say that it is a done deal but we have a
different belief: remember what Joshua Chamberlain said to his troops of the
2nd Maine at Gettysburg, “We are the end of the line, if we fail, we will lose
this battle, if we lost this battle, we lose the war.”
We hope that you would
consider joining DELA –
“Your Voice Will Be Heard!”
If you are interested in becoming a member to support the Maine Fisheries, please contact us or click on 'Membership' tab for more information.
Don't forget to get your tax deductible donation in! Give the gift of helping the lobstering industry this year!