In southern New England, a shell disease has overwhelmed the
lobster industry for years now, in a negative way. The disease appears to be spreading to the coast
of Maine, which is filled with lobsters.
Although the number of lobsters affected by this shell disease is very
small, scientists and lobstermen are worried because of the sudden growth of
the disease between the years 2010 to 2012.
On the other hand, this disease isn’t harmful to humans. The people should be concerned, but not
alarmed. The percentage increase seems drastic;
however the numbers have not increased that much. Lobster is valued greatly to many fisherman,
and this is why they are so concerned.
The shell disease is much less likely to occur in the colder waters of
the Gulf of Maine, and fishing there would be a great way to avoid the disease.
However, the disease is still around, and the disease continues to spread. The Massachusetts waters contain only about
three percent of sampled lobsters that have the disease, with no increase or
trend. Fishing for lobsters without the
disease can easily be accomplished by fishing in colder waters. As stated above, the disease should be of
concern, but not of alarm. The disease will be kept watch for any other types
of trends.
While stated that the disease is not nearly as an issue as it could be, I agree that we need to keep watch of the lobster population to make sure that ecosystems across New England are not disrupted by this disease. Also, Maine lobsters are delicious, so it'd be a shame to see that industry ruined!
ReplyDeleteThe part that there are 3 percents of lobster with the disease in Massachusetts doesn't sound too pleasant to me even though the number is nothing to be concern. However this disease is transferable and moved itself to a different location. Based on the article, Lobster is marked as high valued, if this number somehow increases in the future, i bet that would be doing something to the seafood market. Lobster's lover will now may not buy lobster with an affordable price any longer.
ReplyDeleteSavannah, this is a main source of food for people in the New England area and will become a huge concern. Even though the bacteria are not spreading rapidly and only 3% of lobsters have it, we still need to use precautions. This isn’t harmful to humans but, it can hurt the lobster. Also, when people sell lobsters as the whole lobster no one is going to buy the ones with a bad shell. Therefore, it will cause fisherman to lose money affecting our economy. I think scientist need to research this so we know more about this shell eating bacteria. This disease needs to be closely monitored in case it starts to spread rapidly.
ReplyDelete