American lobster

Homarus americanus

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

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Location

USA (Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank)

Technical location

Atlantic, Northwest, NAFO 5

Caught by

Pot, trap or creel

Rating summary

Current stock abundance in the Gulf of Maine is at an all time high and exploitation rate is below the target. Management varies depending on the area. There are minimum and maximum size limits in place, and trap limits in most areas. However, there are no limits on catches, and management would benefit from harvest control rules. Management is also not thought to be adequate to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW). In the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank, entanglement in vertical lines used in trap fishing gear is likely leading to the decline of the critically endangered NARW. Management measures have been introduced to protect them, but the death of a single animal from vertical line entanglement poses a threat to the species.Commercial buyers should ensure the fishery is following best practice guidelines for impacts on North Atlantic right whales.Rating last updated December 2022.

Technical consultation summary

Current stock abundance in the Gulf of Maine is at an all time high. The average abundance from 2016-2018 was 256 million lobster, which is greater than the industry target of 212 million lobster. Recent recruitment and spawning stock biomass levels are also at or near record highs. Exploitation rate from 2016-2018 was 0.459, below the target of 0.461. Management varies depending on the area. There are minimum and maximum size limits in place, and trap limits in most areas. However, there are no limits on catches, and management would benefit from harvest control rules. Management is also not thought to be adequate to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW). In the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank, entanglement in vertical lines used in trap fishing gear is likely leading to the decline of the critically endangered NARW. Management measures have been introduced to protect them, but the death of a single animal from vertical line entanglement poses a threat to the species.

How we worked out this Rating

References

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American lobster
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