Traditional Wooden Lobster Buoys Are Being Replace With Plastic And Styrofoam Editorial Image

Lobster pot buoys are floats attached to lobster traps that help lobstermen identify their traps and their territory. Buoys float on the water surface and are attached with a rope running to the trap. Originally, buoys were created from wood, mostly black cedar before being painted. Many lobsterman created whimsical lobster buoys which made them pieces of unique art. Today Maine has over 5,900 licensed lobstermen and there are about 3 million lobster traps in Maine’s waters. Many modern buoys are styrofoam or plastic which come apart during storms. With increasing ocean pollution, traditional wooden buoys are clearly superior.