BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 16, 2020
2020 may be remembered as the year when online, direct-to-consumer sales of Maine seafood took off. In a year that saw continued wrangling over foreign trade agreements — which hampered overseas sales of Maine lobster — and a severe drop in restaurant sales due to precautions aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19, many seafood harvesters and producers have sought to connect directly with consumers to stay afloat. A new marketing initiative launched this month by the state — created with $1 million in COVID-19 federal relief funds — is the latest effort geared toward making it easier for consumers to buy Maine seafood directly from distributors and retailers.