Lobster Issues

Maximum Carapace and Other Lobster Issues Again Threaten

The Lobster Board of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has
just released Draft Addendum XI to Amendment 3 to the American Lobster
Fishery Management Plan for public comment. This Addendum states that the
Southern New England (SNE) stock of lobster is over-fished and depleted and
proposes options for rebuilding. A copy of the Addendum can be found at
www.asmfc.org under Breaking News.
A hearing is immediately scheduled at 101 Hooper Ave, Toms River NJ on
Thursday April 19th at 7 P.M. and we need divers to show up.

Previous ASMFC Addendums (Addendum III to Amendment 3) made it clear that
the maximum carapace rule applied only to the commercial fishery and
provided a maximum only for female lobsters in Area 4 & 5. It allowed the
states to determine specific rules on issues such as maximum carapace for
the recreational fishery. The issue came up recently with federal
regulations in Area 4 and 5 and the outcome was that the recreational sport
diver could take one female lobster over the maximum (no maximum for male
lobsters).

Addendum XI (4.2.6 Comprehensive SNE Rebuilding Programs) specifically
proposes measures apply to all SNE lobster fisheries including NY and NJ and
including recreational harvesters, and specifically mentions a maximum size
of 5 and under inch for all female lobsters in Areas 2,3,4,5, and 6.
Although I'm not certain of the pounds, a lobster with a 5 and under
carapace would probably be only 4 or 5 pounds.

Points to make: Addendum 11 should allow states to make a distinction
between commercial and recreational fisheries, especially regarding maximum
size. Trophy fish and lobsters are important in the recreational fishery and
the recreational fishery should not be strapped with conservation rules
designed for the commercial fishery. Would you tell a recreational hook and
line fisherman that he could take a 15 lb Striped Bass, but was forbidden to
take a trophy 50 lb Striped Bass? The recreational sport diver fishery takes
so few lobsters compared to the commercial fishery, and the number of trophy
lobsters is only a very tiny fraction of that number. Therefore, allowing a
few trophy lobsters for the recreational fisherman will have no impact on
conservation! A maximum size is inappropriate and discriminatory to the
recreational fishery. A possible compromise position would be to convince
the ASMFC to go with the Federal rule that allows the recreational fisher to
take one female lobster over the maximum size.

Other issues include mandatory V notching by commercial fishermen, which the
NJCDC is not opposing. However, the V notch is reduced to 1/8 inch, which
would last through more than one molt and may be difficult to see
underwater. Recreational and commercial fishermen can not take a V notched
lobster.

Also threatened are partially closed seasons if a state does not comply in a
timely manner.

Comments can be mailed, faxed, or E mailed to Toni Kerns, Fishery Management
Plan Coordinator, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, 1444 Eye
Street NW, #600, Washington, DC 20005.

Fax: (202) 289-6051 or E mail at tkerns@asmfc.org (subject line: Addendum
XI). Comments must be submitted no later than May 4

Jack Fullmer
Jf2983182@msn.com Legislative Committee
NJCC

[Kia06]

I think it is a good thing that they are imposing a closed season on lobsters, since it allows time for the creatures to breed and create new life. Without that their might not be any future lobsters for future generations.