Lobster Stock Assessment

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission was formed by the 15
Atlantic coast states in 1942 in recognition that fish do not adhere to
political boundaries. The Commission serves as a deliberative body,
coordinating the conservation and management of the states shared near shore
fishery resources marine, shell, and anadromous for sustainable use. Member
states are Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New
York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

The 2005 peer-reviewed stock assessment report indicates the American lobster
resource presents a mixed picture, with stable stock abundance throughout most
of the Gulf of Maine (GOM) and Georges Bank (GBK), low abundance and
recruitment in Southern New England (SNE), and decreased recruitment and
abundance in Massachusetts Bay and Stellwagen Bank (Area 514). Of particular
concern is SNE, where depleted stock abundance, low recruitment, and high
fishing mortality rates over the past few years have led the Peer Review Panel
to call for additional harvest restrictions. Based on these findings, the Board
has initiated the development of a stock rebuilding schedule for the SNE stock.

State and federal fisheries managers and lobstermen are continually working on
ways to ensure the continued health of this valuable resource. The Commission
is committed to ensuring effective and complementary conservation and
management measures both in state and federal waters.

Additional Information OR Comments: Online resources available include 2006
stock assessment and peer review overview