AUGUSTA (AP) – With the lobster industry pinched by plunging prices, a Maine woman is suggesting that Americans skip the traditional turkey dinner and go with the signature Maine seafood for their Thanksgiving feast.

“If you can’t completely give up tom turkey, make a lobster stew, lobster casserole, a lobster stuffing,” Julia Munsey of Bangor said Wednesday.

Munsey hatched the idea after seeing lobster prices nosedive to levels not seen in decades. In October, Maine lobstermen received less than $20 million for their catch, compared to more than $60 million in the same month in 2005. Lobstermen have also been hit by high fuel and bait costs.

“I kept hearing all the news about how the lobster industry was suffering,” said Munsey. “I feel like I want to do something. I want to help.”

Munsey, who’s in the marketing and public relations business, started by arranging to have lobster at a family birthday dinner. That prompted a family discussion on how the effort could be expanded. Munsey figured swapping turkey for lobster could have a big impact.

The idea of a national promotion has support Down East.

“Lobstering has been a way of life for generations of hard-working Mainers and, for many of them, that way of life is threatened,” said state Sen. Kevin Raye, a Republican from eastern Maine’s Washington County.

House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree, who grew up on an island that’s also home to many lobstermen, also applauded the effort to help “honorable and hard-working people who bring international acclaim to Maine.” It’s already a tradition for many Maine families to eat lobster on holidays, said Pingree, D-North Haven.

“We used to have lobster stew on Christmas,” said Munsey, who calls lobster the traditional New England feast.

A Web site’s been launched that features lobster suppliers, menu ideas, Maine specialty products, and information about Maine lobster.

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On the Net:

Lobster for Thanksgiving, www.lobstercelebrations.co

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