Lubec, Maine

Lubec, Maine is the eastern most town in the US. This small town had an interesting fishing activity taking place this day. They were fishing for sea urchins. There are two seasons for sea urchins, Oct - Dec and Jan - Apr. During these seasons the fishing takes place 3 days per week. The fishermen drag the bottom of the bay with a set of bars and chains. The sea urchins are loosened from the sea bed and gathered in the chains. They are then taken off the chains and placed in totes. The totes weigh about 80 pounds each and are auctioned off and purchased by Japan and used as a delicacy. The tool held by a purchaser is used to open the urchin for inspection. The small yellow portion is what is eaten as the delicacy. The price this day was $2.10 per pound. The bid went up to $2.20 per pound as another load came in and the bidders gathered around. Old buildings remain in the bays and the bridge crosses over to the Canadian Islands. The white triangle on the lighthouse photo shows the US and Canada border in the bay.