Canada: New U.S. rules on lobster carapace sizes not a major concern in P.E.I. says lobster marketing official

Fresh Common Lobster

Published Feb 4, 2024

Tridge summary

The U.S. is set to increase the minimum legal size of lobsters that can be sold from 82 millimetres to 84 millimetres in 2025, and further to 86 millimetres in 2027. This change, aimed at allowing lobsters more time to mature and reproduce, is not expected to significantly impact the industry, according to Charlie McGeoghegan, chair of the Lobster Fishers of P.E.I. Marketing Board. Notably, the change will not affect processed lobster, which constitutes over half of P.E.I.’s catch.

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Original content

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Upcoming increases in the legal size of lobster that can be sold in the U.S. are worth watching closely but shouldn't cause any major problems in the industry, said the chair of the Lobster Fishers of P.E.I. Marketing Board. Charlie McGeoghegan said Jan. 29 there are currently eight different carapace sizes in the Maritimes, and most of them are already smaller than the minimum and legal size in the U.S. right now. Currently, U.S. fishermen must throw back any lobster that has a carapace size (the hard shell extending from the eyes to the end of the tail) measuring under 82 millimetres. In January 2025, that will increase to 84 millimetres and it will go up another two millimetres in 2027. Read more ‘Some big decisions need to be made’: U.S. lobster carapace size increase will impact Canadian industry P.E.I. fisherman fined for catching both undersized and female lobsters with eggs attached Any Canadian lobster shipped live to U.S. markets must meet ...

Source: Saltwire