The takeaway message from the conference’s initial presentations: As tempting as lobster is, fishermen must diversify their catches.

In 2011 and 2012, the statewide lobster catch hit successive record highs with 105 million pounds and more than 123 million pounds, respectively. Those numbers carried some bad financial news, however, as the great supply pushed down prices and left lobstermen earning less per pound while still facing rising fuel and overhead costs.

But Bob Steneck, University of Maine marine sciences professor, pointed out an additional downside to the lobster abundance.