Lobster populations remain healthy around Maritimes, but numbers are dropping in Canada
Fresh Common Lobster
Seafood
Canada
Published May 24, 2023
Tridge summary
Lobster populations around the Maritimes remain in good shape, though climate change may be to blame for a recent downward trend, the federal Fisheries Department says.
Original content
Adam Cook, a research scientist with the department based in Halifax, said Tuesday that populations started rising around 2010 and peaked a few years ago amid strong demand for the crustaceans. As the populations rose, so did lobster landings, making for a lucrative industry. Even though most populations appear to be shrinking in recent years, Cook said the numbers remain strong and sustainable when compared to levels recorded before 2010. The latest numbers are contained in a series of stock status reports released in late March. "We still think there's enough lobster for there to be a sustainable lobster population," Cook said in an interview. "Over the last number of years, the conditions have been favourable to lobster ... We're still in what we consider the healthy zone." One of the key factors contributing to the healthy numbers has been a lack of predators, the scientist said. As a result, the department does not have any conservation concerns about lobster. That is welcome ...
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