New mooring system aims to increase lobster population

SEAL HARBOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- A company in Orono has come up with something it hopes will help boost Maine's lobster population.

The company's first habitat mooring system is now sitting at the bottom of Seal Harbor in hopes that lobsters and other marine life will call it home.  It was designed by the Wind Reef Group, LLC, which worked closely with the Lobster Institute at UMaine to create a mooring with various-sized holes.  Creatures such as lobsters can crawl into the holes for protection from predators.  

Dr. Ian Bricknell of UMaine says if this mooring is a success, it will increase the number of lobster in that area.  Each mooring weighs 4,000 pounds and costs between $650-$700.  The Wind Reef Group, LLC says it's going to donate a portion of the profits on the moorings to the Lobster Institute at UMaine.