American lobster

Homarus americanus

3: OK - Needs improvement How we work out the ratings

What to check for

Location

Canada (Southern Gulf of St Lawrence, LFA 23-26)

Technical location

Atlantic, Northwest, NAFO 4T

Caught by

Pot, trap or creel

Certification

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

Rating summary

Stock indicators show that the lobster biomass in the southern Gulf of St Lawrence is high, above the proxy for BMSY. Reference points are not available for fishing pressure, however, fishing pressure is not thought to be adversely affecting lobster stocks. Therefore, there is no concern for biomass or fishing pressure. There are trap limits and a minimum size limit in place, however, management would benefit from a better understanding of the stock and harvest control rules. In the Gulf of St Lawrence, entanglement in vertical lines used in trap fishing gear is likely leading to the decline of the critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whales (NARW) in Atlantic Canada.Rating last updated June 2022.

How we worked out this Rating

References

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American lobster
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