Blog -
Seafood
Wednesday, 07 October 2009 15:50
Mike Marks
October 7, 2009 - BOSTON — At the peak of lobster season in the Bay State, Governor Deval Patrick has declared October 7 “Lobster Day,” and the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game (DFG) encourages residents to observe it by enjoying local lobsters from their favorite fish markets and restaurants.
“For generations, the lobster has provided a source of food, jobs and economic activity, and a way of life that dates back to the Native Americans and the first European settlers,” declared Governor Patrick, whose proclamation also noted the value of lobster fishermen to the Commonwealth’s economy, and the abundance of lobster in Massachusetts waters in early October.
According to DFG’s Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), lobsters catches are the highest in the late summer and early fall months when a rise in water temperatures in near shore waters, an increase in lobster feeding activity and inshore migration bring an abundance of lobsters into Massachusetts waters.
With high catch rates, the fall months see a drop in prices for consumers. According to DMF data, the ex-vessel price of lobsters (price paid to fishermen or lobster catches) has declined about 25 percent in the last four years, making lobster an affordable choice for consumers at home and at local restaurants. In addition, American lobster provides nutritional value. It is low in fat, calories and cholesterol and high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc and Vitamins B12, B6, B3 (niacin), B2 (riboflavin), and A.
The Massachusetts lobster industry is diligent in its effort conserve the lobster population. Harvesting is regulated by strict controls on licenses and traps fished, as well as biological measures to protect and conserve lobster populations, such as minimum and maximum legal sizes, and the mark and release of reproductive females. Massachusetts lobstermen are also at the forefront of efforts to protect marine mammals. Massachusetts is the first and only state to require lobstermen to fish exclusively by “sinking” line between traps in state waters, minimizing the risk of trapping whales and other marine mammals.
Facts about lobster and the Massachusetts lobster fishery:
- In 2008, Massachusetts commercial fishermen landed more than 11.7 million pounds of lobster in Massachusetts, generating a gross income of $50.4 million.
- Massachusetts’ lobster fishery generated about $252 million for the Commonwealth’s economy in 2008 by doing business with marine suppliers, bait dealers, lobster dealers, restaurants, retail outlets, supply manufacturers, fuel sales, boat and engine builders, banks and insurance companies.
- There are more than 1,330 lobster permits issued to commercial fishermen in Massachusetts and 11,000 recreational lobster permits. A total of 49 Massachusetts ports have commercial lobster trap fishermen.
- Massachusetts has about 335,000 lobster traps in state waters and another 85,000 just outside state territorial waters.
- Massachusetts-based lobster dealers are the chief distributers of American lobster to the world market.
- Massachusetts lobstermen have removed 3,000 miles of floating rope from waters in an effort to reduce the risk of entanglements of large whales, including the endangered Northern Right Whale, and other marine mammals.
From DFG Press Release