PORTLAND (AP) — Maine’s lobster catch grew in value to a record $364.5 million last year, and the catch topped 100 million pounds for a third consecutive year, indicating the fishery remains healthy.

Preliminary figures from the Maine Department of Marine Resources show a catch of 126 million pounds, which is 1 percent off last year’s record. But the 2013 catch could set a new record when final tallies are completed.

The value of the catch grew more than 6 percent from the previous year, welcome news for fishermen. The state says lobstermen were paid on average $2.89 per pound of lobster, an increase of 20 cents from the previous year.

The state posted the preliminary figures as lobstermen gathered at the Fishermen’s Forum in Rockport.