The DEC has become aware of a growing problem in the Long Island Sound - abandoned lobster gear. The gear is abandoned by lobstermen who have left the industry because of poor catches attributable to the recent lobster mortality events in the Sound. Mr. Colvin said that DEC is in the process of assessing the problem by gaining information from various sources on the amount of gear being abandoned. Until the extent of the situation is better understood, discussion of a response(s) is premature.

Chairman Wise asked about the legalities concerning a lobsterman who wishes to leave the business. Does he have a legal requirement to remove his gear from the water or can he just leave it in the water unattended ? Captain Otterstedt said the first consideration is to determine whether or not the gear has been abandoned. Once it's determined that it has been abandoned, DEC can ask the lobster license-holder to retrieve the gear, or the Department could then seize it. Mr. Colvin noted that there is a requirement that the license trap tag be updated annually. If a trap is pulled from the water and the tag has expired, there is a $500.00 fine.

Councilor Davi said that abandoned traps create other problems. They waste valuable fishing space and create a resource problem: lobsters enter the traps, cannot escape, and eventually die in the traps. He asked whether DEC can issue a "per trap" fine ? Mr. Colvin answered that this was possible. Councilor Jordan suggested that there be a provision for lobstermen who would like to leave the lobster fishery, or reduce their involvement, that they have a place to bring their equipment for recycling when they no longer need it. What else can you do with 1,000 traps in a fishery covered by a hard license moratorium and facing a much-depleted resource ?

Chairman Wise asked that DEC report the results of their problem assessment regarding abandoned lobster gear Long Island Sound at a future Council meeting.

 

Page last modified Wednesday, February 2, 2005 by George E. Carroll