Table: American Lobster, Gulf of Maine-Middle Atlantic
Lobster
landings have increased significantly in the last decade;
however, the number of traps fished and general efficiency of the
fishing industry have also increased. In the Northeast it is one of
several fishery resources that is considered to be generally
overfished. Fishermen and managers, however, are working
together to develop management measures which will help insure adequate
egg production to sustain the resource and fishery. Presently
major conservation measures include safeguarding lobsters smaller than
3-1/4" carapace length (Carapace length is measured from the rear of
the eye socket to the rear of the main body shell). Any lobster that
is smaller in carapace length than 3-1/4" must be returned unharmed to
the sea. These lobsters are known as "shorts" or "sub-legals".
Egg-bearing females are also protected and if caught, must be placed
back in the sea. Lobster traps must have escape vents to allow sublegal
size lobsters to exit the trap while it is still on the bottom (they
can come in, eat, and leave). Not all "shorts" leave, however, and so
the lobsterman must then throw them back when they pull their trap onto
the boat. Lobster traps must also have biodegradable escape panels
which will create a large opening and neutralize the fishing
potential of a lost trap.