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Lobster fishing is one if the last fishing industries that is run by local fishermen and women rather than big corporate boats. They can do it that way because
by fallingfrog 6y ago
Lobster fishing is one if the last fishing industries that is run by local fishermen and women rather than big corporate boats. They can do it that way because there’s a limit on how many licenses each fisherman can have, a limit on the number of licenses they give out, and also they throw back lobsters that are too big, too small, or have a history of being successful breeders (they notch the tail to mark those). So the fishery is sustainable. But the downside is that the licenses tend to run in families and you have to know someone to get one, so it’s not open to people coming in from out of state. You can get a special limited license to put 4 traps out as an amateur but the professionals are going to cut the lines on your traps, they hate four trappers invading their fishing territory. And if you go out raiding someone else’s lobster pots, they’re gonna shoot at you, so don’t do that!
- weeksie 6y agoNot sure this is true everywhere. Maybe in the northeast, but I grew up in a fishing village in Alaska and pretty much all of our coastal towns are fishing-dominated with many, many small boats in addition to the bigger trawler/processors. We have a similar thing with the licensing. I inherited a limited entry permit from my father. It's like getting a taxi medallion in NYC. Being young and stupid I sold it to my best friend on zero percent interest and he paid me about 1% of the total price of the thing, then stopped paying. Never had the heart to chase him for it.
- gruez 6y ago>or have a history of being successful breeders (they notch the tail to mark those) how does this work? you can tell whether a lobster is a "successful breeder" just on visual inspection?
- fallingfrog 6y agoIf they find one with eggs under its tail, then they notch the tail which basically gives the lobster a get out of the trap free card for 2 or 3 molts.
- fallingfrog 6y agohttp://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/fishing/saltwater/v-notching-regulations/ http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/fishing/saltwater/...