AUGUSTA — Maine’s top fisheries official is meeting with lobstermen this month to discuss how the lobster-fishing season is progressing.

Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher says he’s holding four open meetings in July to hear from lobstermen, share information and discuss ideas about the future of Maine’s lobster industry.

The meetings are scheduled for July 9 in Rockland, July 11 in Machias, July 16 in Ellsworth and July 17 in Scarborough.

Lobster by far is Maine’s most valuable fishery, but it’s been hampered in recent years by low prices brought on by huge catches. Maine fishermen last year caught a record 126 million pounds of lobster but received only $2.69 a pound on average, the lowest price since 1994.