Pike Bartlett, born on February 3, 1951, is a prominent figure in the lobster trap industry. Originally from Massachusetts, he relocated to Friendship, Maine, in 1973. His personal interests revolve around outdoor activities such as skiing, sailing, and motorcycling. As the president and owner of the Friendship Trap Company, Bartlett has played a pivotal role in the company's success since its establishment in 1977. The company specializes in the production of lobster traps, utilizing rolls of wire and bales of mesh to craft durable and efficient traps for fishermen.

Scope and Content Note
In this interview, Pike Bartlett discusses his work and experience with the Friendship Trap Company, which he started in 1977. He talks about the advantages of wire over wooden traps, recent innovations in trap making, trap limits, and the future of the industry. Bartlett owns and operates the Friendship Trap Company, which manufactures lobster traps. Bartlett discusses the origins of his business, mentioning that he started the Friendship Trap Company in 1977. Initially, he operated in Massachusetts for a year before establishing a Friendship, Maine building in 1978. Bartlett conducted market research and discovered the numerous advantages of wire traps over wooden traps. They were heavier underwater, providing stability, and lighter on boats, requiring less maintenance. Additionally, wire traps had a higher lobster-catching efficiency due to reduced movement on the ocean floor. Regarding the changes in traps, since he began, Bartlett mentioned the noticeable shift in trap colors. Initially, there was only green wire available, but over time, colors like black, white, gray, yellow, and blue were introduced. Another significant change involved replacing hand-knit trap heads with shrimp lines, a netting material made overseas. Bartlett also highlights the upcoming major change in traps, where concrete runners are replacing wooden runners and bricks. Bartlett acknowledges the challenges in the lobster trap business. As the industry matured, competition increased, making it more price-sensitive. Additionally, government regulations limiting the number of new traps impacted the industry's size. Bartlett discusses the kinds of traps his company produces, the number of traps lobstermen typically have, and the future of the business. He acknowledges the need for caution due to natural predation, such as striped bass and codfish consuming small lobsters. Balancing the ecological impact and ensuring the sustainability of lobster populations remains a priority.