STONINGTON — A lobster hatchery in eastern Maine is suspending operations after five years of raising tiny lobsters.

The Penobscot East Resource Center in Stonington has released hundreds of thousands of juvenile lobsters into local waters over the years to give a boost to the lobster population.

Additional Photos

This baby lobster grew to this size in one year living under the care of a biologist off Beals Island. Staff Photo by John Ewing

The nonprofit told the Bangor Daily News that it has decided to use the limited funding that was spent on the hatchery and apply it to other projects instead.

Associate Director Veronica Young said the center will focus more of its funds on research of so-called groundfish such as haddock, cod and flounder, which are in short supply in Maine waters.