Consider the lobster: The population of the crustaceans is at such low levels along the East Coast that a regulatory agency is proposing a five-year ban on harvesting them between Cape Cod and Virginia.
“Long Island Sound, in particular, has been in poor health since 1999,” said Toni Kerns, senior fishery management plan coordinator at the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. “We had a die off in the fishery.”
On Thursday, the technical committee of biologists for the Atlantic commission is meeting in Warwick, R.I., to discuss the proposal. They have the final authority to shut down lobstering in these coastal waters.
The ban, however, would spare Maine, where lobsters are thriving. Last year, fishermen pulled in 75.6 million pounds — the largest take in years, according to state records and estimates. The harvest raked in $223.7 million — although that was about $22 million lighter than in 2008.
FULL STORY: http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/20/news/economy/lobster_ban/index.htm
Comments
Lobsters are thriving in Maine because Maine placed size limits on lobsters. It’s been in effect since the 80′s. The lobster has to be between 1 and 1-1/2 pounds. Less than a pound and they are too small. Greater than a pound and they are breeders. Other states didn’t follow with the size limits and now have depleted lobster fisheries. e.g. NY Long Island Sound.
#Bruce Williamson,
#There have been size limits on lobsters in both CT and NY for decades.
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