As the Maine lobster trap fishery has entered MSC assessment, Moody Marine seeks to open a dialogue with all organisations or individuals with a direct interest in the fishery. It is said that anyone can comments on the assessment process (relevant to the status of the stock, ecosystem interactions or fishery management practices) is invited to contact Paul Knapman.
The location of the fishery is Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC)Lobster Management Area 1 and the method use is trap. About the fishery management, all vessels that fish in Maine State waters (within 3 miles of shore) are required to hold a state licence and respect state regulations wherever they fish (including federal waters). The state licences vessels that fish in state waters.
The commercial market of the fishery revels that up to 70 percent of Maine lobster is shipped to Canada to be processed. This is predominantly new-shell lobster that cannot withstand long distance shipping to Maine’s hard-shelled customers. The assessment timeline started on November 2008 and is expected to take 12-14 months. After successful assessment MSC logo can be applied to product from certified fisheries.
