Lobsters

TMHeimer · Nov 26, 2010

We all know that lobsters can only be taken commercially in NS & NB (and maybe PEI & NL). Yet divers and individuals can get recreational licences in Maine and Mass., to name 2 states. Anyone have insight as to why this has been the case for so long?

porgyhunter · Nov 26, 2010

Hey TM Really don't know all the reasons, but each state has their own regs. Regulations are getting tougher though. In Mass we have a 15 lob dive limit also in gulf of maine no bugs over 4 to 5 lbs. I can't see divers or rec. pots really impacting the lob. pop. :idk:

anassrat · Nov 26, 2010

I agree and I have spoken to lobster fisherman that really don't care if divers pick them up or not. I think the concern is local lobster prices would drop substantially if it was readily available by divers.

TMHeimer · Nov 26, 2010

What you always seem to hear is that the lobster fishermen struck a real good deal with the govt. way back when. And the deal is in place to protect them and the industry as a whole. That's just what I hear anyway. I have trouble understanding why places in the U.S. don't have similar rules. I don't think you even need a permit to take those spiney lobsters in the Southeast states. You'd have to figure that there is a commercial lobstering industry in the U.S. also, which has to feed lobsters to 10 times our population--wouldn't they also be in trouble if lobsters could be taken recreationally?

northatlanticsquadron · Nov 28, 2010

Would be nice to be allowed even a token bag limit, 2 or 3 per diver maximum.... When you factor in cost of fuel compared to stopping at a roadside lobster salesman at $4-5 a pound its not as if youd be doing it for the money. Friends tell me in NJ they end nearly every diveday with a seafood cookoff on the beach and Im sure they have alot more divers and impact there....

But it is what it is.

TMHeimer · Nov 28, 2010

My uncle years ago had some pots (traps) in N.Y. (Long Island Sound). As mentioned, I doubt a diver taking one or 2 occasionally would impact the lobstermen at all. I'd like to know the history of why that was declared illegal here (U.S. divers are puzzled when I tell them we can't touch lobsters- unless you are a native, of course). Very frustrating to see the boats check their traps maybe 50 feet from the beach at our house and I can't take even one when I see it diving there.

porgyhunter · Nov 28, 2010

IIn my opinion you guys are getting totally screwed. Divers would not take anything from the lob pop. Especially the farther north you go the tougher the diving climate. All the CRAP you have to go thru in Mass. to get lobster and even in good areas so many factors have to jive. Wind, Tides/currents,vis water temps, boat traffic these can limit the catch. Even being very experienced and all factors being good a usual average is 5 to 6.

northatlanticsquadron · Nov 28, 2010

Finding them isnt the issue round here, given a big enough bag Im sure I could grab a dozen or more easily just shore diving various spots in St Margarets Bay. Its getting them out of the water without arousing the ire of the Mounties etc thats the problem.

Scallops on the other hand are the other way around, one of my dive buddies got a scallop tag for a few years, gave it up as he hasnt found enough to be worth the license fee yet.

porgyhunter · Nov 28, 2010

Sorry had to cut my reply short.....To add ..After a short time you get to dislike the taste of lobster. Sounds wierd but almost across the board, divers that catch alot grow tired of eating them. But it is so fun we keep catching them. I know you can't scuba for lobs in maine. Seems big lobster industry will squelch the rec lobstermen

TMHeimer · Nov 29, 2010

porgyhunter:
Sorry had to cut my reply short.....To add ..After a short time you get to dislike the taste of lobster. Sounds wierd but almost across the board, divers that catch alot grow tired of eating them. But it is so fun we keep catching them. I know you can't scuba for lobs in maine. Seems big lobster industry will squelch the rec lobstermen

I'm pretty sure that in Maine you can have a recreational pot or 2 with a permit. If that's true, it's odd that taking them on scuba would be illegal there.

Lobsters

Please register or login

TMHeimer

Contributor

porgyhunter

Contributor

anassrat

Contributor

TMHeimer

Contributor

northatlanticsquadron

New

TMHeimer

Contributor

porgyhunter

Contributor

northatlanticsquadron

New

porgyhunter

Contributor

TMHeimer

Contributor

Similar threads