Ever sensitive to how the fisheries will be apportioned out, what with the advent of sanctuaries, lotteries, and moratoriums, a couple of entrepreneurs from Maine have hatched a more novel scheme.

Pass the risk to the consumer.

“For $2,995 per year, customers buy the rights to all the lobsters caught in a designated trap off the rocky Maine coast – at least 40 crustaceans a season, probably more – and have them shipped whenever and wherever they want.” 

A couple of things occur to me off the bat, and while I applaud the scheme, the immediate question is, “how much extra to move my trap away from the sewage outflow nozzle, and if I buy one as a gift – can I order ‘double estrogen’ on my pals trap?”

Being on the SingleBarbed gift list may be a bad thing…

Can we extend this concept to our own fishing? I’m envisioning the sales pitch over dinner:

“Well dear, as you know you’ve already a significant investment in my fishing tackle and fly tying materials, to be fair I thought to cut you in on the profits. I see the occasional ‘Catch & Release’ blueline trip as a ‘pro bono’ affair, but that’ll be offset by numerous trips where I thump the fish of your choosing, and you can pick certain dates for delivery.

I’m thinking of an IPO of … say … 1000 shares, valued on the basis of my expertise and tackle collection, what say you to …um… $12.00 a share?

I have a media kit for your perusal, showing … What’s so Goddamn Funny?”

I don’t know how you’ll fare, but that’s what I expect from my financial partner.

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