American lobster

Homarus americanus

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

What to check for

Location

Canada (Newfoundland and Labrador, LFA 3-14)

Technical location

Atlantic, Northwest, NAFO 2, NAFO 3, NAFO 4R

Caught by

Pot, trap or creel

Rating summary

The stock status of American lobster in Newfoundland and Labrador is unknown relative to reference points. There is no concern for the biomass due to an increase in catch per unit effort (CPUE) but there is concern for fishing pressure due to a lack of larger lobsters in the population. There are trap limits and a minimum and maximum size limit in place, however, management would benefit from a better understanding of the stock and harvest control rules. In Newfoundland and Labrador, entanglement in vertical lines used in trap fishing gear is possibly 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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