Maine’s Commercial Lobster Industry Essay Example For Students

Maine’s Commercial Lobster Industry Essay Scientists predict a major population crash of Maine lobsters in the near future, due to over-harvesting, increasing demand, and a lack of successful regulatory measures reflecting such factors. The attempt to introduce various policy measures creating more limited access to the resource has been largely ineffective due to the unique ecological, economic, and social characteristics of the state. Further complicating the issue is the matter of thriving lobster populations during recent years when other marine wildlife populations are experiencing severe losses along the same region of the eastern seaboard. This paper examines the conflict between lobster fishermen, scientists, and policy makers regarding attempts to work toward a more sustainable lobster fishing industry. Introduction The issue of Maine lobster fishing is an ideal case illustrating the challenge of the tragedy of the commons, since the lobsters belong to no one until caught. They have been harvested commercially in New England (the birthplace of the nation’s fisheries) since the 1800’s. At that time, they were so plentiful they could be caught by hand or, with less hazard (because the average lobster was so large), with a gaff, a pole with a large hook stuck in the end (Formisano, 13). Since the early 19th century, the industry adopted more efficient techniques (such as the use of lobster pots, or traps, and boats that could carry lobsters over longer distances) to capture more lobsters faster. This led to a significant population decline by the late 1800’s, prompting the first lobster regulation (prohibiting the harvesting of egg-bearing females). Lobster populations remained relatively stable through the mid-1900’s, and for reasons not quite understood by researchers, lobster populations seem to have increased over the last 30 years. Technology has improved so lobstermen now harvest even larger numbers of lobster through the use of hydraulic lifts, and radar technology. At the same time, more lobster fishermen have entered the industry, and the overall demand for Maine lobster has increased. According to The Lobster Conservation Society website, The lobster fishery is the most valuable fishery on the Atlantic coast of both the U.S. and Canada. Curre ntly, Maine provides at least 50% of the yearly U.S. lobster supply, a $107 million industry. Recently, there have been both state and federal government attempts to avert potential disaster by introducing various regulations to sustain the fishery. However, lobster fishermen mostly disagree with the scientists, and indicate government interaction is neither welcome, nor needed. Even if lobstermen did agree, they still have an incentive to harvest as much of this common-property resource as possible before someone else does. The lack of effective policy regarding the lobster fishery could potentially lead to the commercial extinction of lobsters, having serious economic and social consequences for Maine lobster fishermen. Point of View: Fishing Industry Insiders Even with unpleasant, and dangerous working conditions, traditional lobstermen welcome their way of life. Boats and (informal) territories are often handed down from generation to generation. The Maine Lobster Promotion Council website states †¦most lobster harvesters agree they would choose no other career. The call of the Maine coast is simply too strong. For the typical lobster harvester, lobstering is not about a profit margin so much as it is about the preservation of family, a tradition, independence, or even a town. The lobstermen have long recognized that the survival of their livelihood depends on sound resource management. For this reason, they have been instrumental in the development of (and mostly eager to comply with) state regulations requiring:  · That egg-bearing females be marked with a V-notch on the tail and returned;  · That lobsters meet minimum/maximum size requirements (to allow lobsters to reach mature age, and provide strong breeding stock); and,  · Dragging for lobster by trawling (dragging nets along the bottom) is illegal (in state waters, 3 miles from shore, where most lobsters are harvested). Lobstermen must use traps that have to be hauled in one at a time by the harvester, as they have less impact on the ocean floor environment. The entire industry must operate with a level of trust, and usually it works well. There is a powerful and tangible sense of community among the Maine lobster industry. They ferociously protect their own natural resource, and do not tolerate those who operate outside an unspoken code of ethics. (Maine Lobster Promotion Council website). Two recent developments in fishing industry have greatly impacted Maine’s lobster industry. 1. The collapse of commercially profitable fish (such as cod) has resulted in total bans, or extreme limits on the types and amount of fish caught in the U.S. and Canada. Fishermen often try to avoid a total loss on their assets, and often shift to lobster fishing. This has been an especially attractive option for fishermen since lobster populations seem to be thriving, and there is high demand for them. 2. A mysterious disease killing lobsters in Long Island Sound has meant there is now increased demand in other areas. New York is considered the third largest provider of lobsters behind Maine and Massachusetts. Catcher In The Rye Symbolism EssayAs the GAO findings indicated, one serious flaw of the buy-back program was the lack of forethought regarding new fishing entrants, or participants who might simply switch to a new type of fishing (lobster). The program has potential to become successful, but further incentives must be provided in the form of counselling, job training, and penalties for re-entry. This is a very expensive option that is subsidized by taxpayers across the nation, for a small number of people, and would probably find little support in the general public. Aquaculture is another one possible option that should be seriously considered by fishermen and policymakers in Maine. Until now, it has been largely limited to fresh water fish in high demand such as catfish, tilapia, and Atlantic salmon. It is not likely to be a feasible option to raise lobster this way, due to their migratory, bottom dwelling nature (and since little is known about these habits anyway). However, encouraging fishermen who might otherwise shift to lobstering to choose this option instead (with alternative fish) would certainly relieve some of the current and expected future burden on the industry. Maine officials could also tighten permit procedures to limit, or temporarily halt, new entrants until better policy can be developed. Researchers and policy makers might try to work more closely with lobster fishermen. A participatory approach to policy making will help lobstermen understand that both researchers and policy makers are working on their behalf. By working with the lobstermen, policy makers and researchers also gain a better understanding of what the direct and indirect effects their decisions will have on them. Building trust among the lobstermen is imperative for successful policy making. Conclusion Recent phenomena such as the demand for low-fat protein, and widely publicized occurrences of foot-and-mouth and mad cow diseases will likely lead to an increased demand of alternative protein sources that can be found in seafood. This will only place further pressure on the fishing industries to meet demand, thus further incentive for new entrants, and increased pressure for various government institutions to take action. Without proper forethought, the overfishing will occur, and commercial fishermen (including lobster fishermen) will continue the pattern, once again shifting to the next species. Future policy initiatives regarding this issue should be developed from a multidisciplinary study of matters that consider (not limited to) state, national, and international politics, scientific data, economical incentives, environmental issues, and local culture. Compromises will have to be made, and no matter what, there will be losers. Hopefully, steps will be taken to prevent the lobster from becoming the loser, and with it, a culture that has become a symbol for the State of Maine. Resources Arnold, David. Fishermen: Georges Bank Closure to Bring Overcrowding Elsewhere. 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