CORRECTED LOBSTER PRESS RELEASE: ASMFC American Lobster Board Approves Area-Specific

[njdiver1]

CORRECTED LOBSTER PRESS RELEASE: ASMFC American Lobster Board Approves Area-Specific Measures to Reduce Fishing Exploitation on Southern New England Stock by 10%

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEBRUARY 9, 2012
PRESS CONTACT, TINA BERGER, 703.842.0740

Please note that there has been a correction to the lobster press release sent out yesterday. Specifically, the approved measures for LCMA 6 includes a two-week grace period for removal of lobster traps and the setting of baited lobster traps one week prior to the season reopening. Lobster landings will continue to be prohibited during the grace periods.


ASMFC American Lobster Board Approves Area-Specific Measures to Reduce Fishing Exploitation on Southern New England Stock by 10%

Alexandria, VA – The Commission’s American Lobster Board approved Addendum XVII to Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster. The Addendum establishes area-specific management measures for Lobster Conservation Management Areas (2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) as the first step in initiating Southern New England (SNE) stock rebuilding. The measures are intended to reduce fishing exploitation on the SNE stock by 10% starting in July 2013 in response to the stock’s depleted condition, which has been at low levels of abundance and experiencing persistent low recruitment since 2002. The approved area-specific measures are as follows:


LCMA 2 (waters off of Rhode Island and Massachusetts) – In lieu of a closed season, a conservation equivalency program was approved to allow the states to implement a mandatory v-notch program for all legal-sized egg bearing females beginning June 1, 2012. The Technical Committee will review the proportion of v-notch females in the catch to determine compliance by July, 1 2014; if the measures do not meet the conservation objectives, a four month closed season from January 1 to April 30 will be implemented.

LCMA 3 (offshore federal waters from Maine to North Carolina) – A minimum size of 3 17/32” effective January 1, 2013.


LCMAs 4 and 5 (South and east of Long Island, New York to North Carolina) – A conservation equivalency program, composed of a mandatory V-notching program for all legal-sized egg bearing females and a closed season to be determined by the states pending Technical Committee approval, was approved. The closed season would include one or more months between January and April, with lobster traps removed from the water during the closed season. If the closed season extends four weeks or longer, the Board will allow a two-week grace period for removal of lobster traps and the setting of un-baited lobster traps one week prior to the season reopening. The grace period is intended to allow industry to safely remove and set a large number of traps if inclement weather occurs. Lobster landings will continue to be prohibited during the grace periods. The Technical Committee will review the proportion of v-notch females in the catch to determine compliance by July, 1 2014; if the measures do not meet the conservation objectives, a two-month closed season from April 29 to May 31 will be implemented.

LCMA 6 (Long Island Sound) – A closed season was approved for LCMA 6, with lobster traps removed from the water during the closed season. The exact dates of the closed season will be chosen from a suite of options approved by the Board following in-state public comments, but the season could include the months September through December. The Board will allow a two-week grace period for removal of lobster traps and the setting of baited lobster traps one week prior to the season reopening. Lobster landings will continue to be prohibited during the grace periods.


The most restrictive rule will apply to lobstermen who have elected to fish in multiple LCMAs, meaning that lobstermen fishing in multiple areas will be held to the most restrictive management measures of the areas identified on their permits. The intention of this rule is to maintain the conservation benefits of the closed season and not increase effort in other areas. Addendum XVII measures will remain in place until replaced by Board action.


http://www.asmfc.org/press_releases/2012/pr04LobsterAddendumXVIIApproval.pdf

 

[AfterDark]

Does anybody know why cultivating lobsters isn't a big industry? Are they that hard to keep alive? Seems to me the sooner we can do this the better for the wild lobsters. There's no shortage of chickens or cows. I see trout swimming in tanks in the supermarket. I've seen thousands if not more trout in hatcheries around RI. Years ago I had a saltwater with a small bug in it. When I gave up on the tank it was a big lobster so I harvested it, MMMM...MMMM....GOOD!

 

[njdiver1]

"Due to increased demand, overfishing, and pollution, the demand for lobsters exceeds the supply, making lobsters an expensive luxury. Aquaculture (farming) of lobsters is technically possible, but with current methods it costs more to raise lobsters than to catch them—so cheaper lobster is unlikely in the near future."

The American Lobster


For further research:

The American LobsterFishWatch - American LobsterAmerican Lobster Aquaculture Research Program at the New England Aquarium

http://www.neaq.org/conservation_and_research/projects/fisheries_bycatch_aquaculture/aquaculture_research/american_lobster_aquaculture_research/background/index.php

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa147

 

[njdiver1]

More information on lobster closure:

http://www.asmfc.org/meetings/winter2012Mtg/2012WinterMeetingSummary.pdf

 

[njdiver1]

Atlantic States MarineFisheries Commission
2012 Winter Meeting Summary

AMERICAN LOBSTER MANAGEMENT BOARD (February 7, 2012)

Motions​

Move that LCMT measures require the most restrictive rule apply to participants with multiple LCMAs permits.

Motion made by Mr. Simpson, and seconded by Mr. Stockwell. Motion passes unanimously.


Move that all closed areas proposed in Addendum XVII require that lobster traps are removed from the water during a closed period.

Motion made by Mr. Stockwell and seconded by Mr. White. Motion passes (8 in favor, 2 opposed).


Move to approve LCMA 6 closed seasons identified in table 3 including a 2 week gear removal and 2 week gear replacement grace period during a closed season, and no lobster traps can be baited more than 1 week prior to season reopening.

Motion made by Mr. Simpson and seconded by Mr. McElroy. Motion passes (6 in favor, 3 opposed, 1 abstention).


Motion to approve a four month closed season from January 1-April 30 to achieve reductions required by Addendum XVII. As conservation equivalency for this 4 month closure approve a mandatory v-notch program for all legal-sized egg bearing females for all harvesters in LMCA 2 beginning June 1, 2012. Technical Committee shall review the proportion of v-notch females in the catch to determine compliance by July, 1 2014.

Motion made by Mr. McKiernan and seconded by Mr. Gibson. Motion passes (9 in favor, 1 abstention).


Motion to accept the LCMA 3 proposal to reduce exploitation by 10% from the 2007 – 2009 reference period. For LCMA 3, the minimum size shall be raised from 3 ½” to 3 17/32” effective January 1, 2013.

Motion by made Mr. McKiernan and seconded by Mr. McElroy. Motion passes (8 in favor, 2
abstentions).


Move to approve a closed season from April 29 to May 31 for LCMA 4 to achieve the required reduction in Addendum XVII. As a conservation equivalency program approve a mandatory V notching program augmented by a closed season (approved by the TC) to achieve 10% reduction in exploitation in LCMA 4. If the closed season extends 4 weeks or longer allow 2 week grace period for removal of lobster traps and allow for the setting of un-baited lobster traps 1 week prior to the season reopening. Technical Committee shall review the proportion of v-notch females in the catch to determine compliance by July, 1 2014.

Motion by made Mr. Himchak and seconded by Mr. Augustine. Motion passes (8 in favor, 1 no, 1
abstention).


Move to approve a closed season from April 29 to May 31 for LCMA 5 to achieve the required reduction in Addendum XVII. As a conservation equivalency program approve a mandatory V notching program augmented by a closed season (approved by the TC) to achieve 10% reduction in exploitation in LCMA 5. If the closed season extends 4 weeks or longer allow 2 week grace period for removal of lobster traps and allow for the setting of un-baited lobster traps 1 week prior to the season reopening. Technical Committee shall review the proportion of v-notch females in the catch to determine compliance by July, 1 2014.

Motion made by Mr. Himchak and seconded by Mr. Augustine. Motion passes (9 in favor, 1 abstention).


Move that the measures are in place until replaced by a subsequent Board action.

Motion by made Mr. Simpson and seconded by Mr. Adler. Motion passes (9 in favor, 1 abstention)


Move to approve Addendum XVII as modified today.

Motion made by Mr. Adler and seconded by Mr. McElroy. Motion passes unanimously.


http://www.asmfc.org/meetings/winter2012Mtg/2012WinterMeetingSummary.pdf
​

 

[AfterDark]

"Due to increased demand, overfishing, and pollution, the demand for lobsters exceeds the supply, making lobsters an expensive luxury. Aquaculture (farming) of lobsters is technically possible, but with current methods it costs more to raise lobsters than to catch them—so cheaper lobster is unlikely in the near future."

The American Lobster


For further research:

The American LobsterFishWatch - American LobsterAmerican Lobster Aquaculture Research Program at the New England Aquarium

http://www.neaq.org/conservation_and_research/projects/fisheries_bycatch_aquaculture/aquaculture_research/american_lobster_aquaculture_research/background/index.php

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa147

The American Lobster June 1988. We need new research!

 

[macado]

Does anybody know why cultivating lobsters isn't a big industry? Are they that hard to keep alive? Seems to me the sooner we can do this the better for the wild lobsters. There's no shortage of chickens or cows. I see trout swimming in tanks in the supermarket. I've seen thousands if not more trout in hatcheries around RI. Years ago I had a saltwater with a small bug in it. When I gave up on the tank it was a big lobster so I harvested it, MMMM...MMMM....GOOD!

I have read that since the time it takes for lobsters to mature to proper size makes it not profitable, in addition to the difficulty of cultivating lobsters. Also heard that disease is easily transmitted to other lobsters which could wipe out entire stock.

Not sure if this is 100% correct though.

 

[Wookie]

Lobsters (especially North American Lobsters) are vicious cannibals. The main reason they are banded in pounds is not to pinch the handlers, but to keep them from tearing bits off of each other. Lobsters shed in privacy, not in public (it's when they are most vulnerable to predation). If there is no privacy, they won't shed. If they can't shed, they won't grow. North American lobsters like to spawn in deep (300 feet or better) water. They are broadcast spawners. No deep water, no spawn. No spawn, no larvae, and therefore no aquaculture. It is easy to keep a lobster alive in a tank, near impossible to grow or feed one.

 

[Learn It]

Lobsters (especially North American Lobsters) are vicious cannibals. The main reason they are banded in pounds is not to pinch the handlers, but to keep them from tearing bits off of each other. Lobsters shed in privacy, not in public (it's when they are most vulnerable to predation). If there is no privacy, they won't shed. If they can't shed, they won't grow. North American lobsters like to spawn in deep (300 feet or better) water. They are broadcast spawners. No deep water, no spawn. No spawn, no larvae, and therefore no aquaculture. It is easy to keep a lobster alive in a tank, near impossible to grow or feed one.

Old, but great post.