According to a group that monitors how fish and other seafood are harvested from the world's oceans, American lobster is no longer a sustainable seafood choice.
The organization made the announcement last week due to concerns that the ropes used to fish for lobsters and some other seafoods canentangle critically-endangered whales. Federal wildlife authorities say that the marine mammal is in danger of extinction.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium in California gives scientific guidance to businesses, including partnerships with some of the country's major seafood buyers, about what seafood they sell to customers. Consumers can get seafood recommendations directly from the organization. At seafood markets and in restaurants across the country, it can be found sitting next to packets of oyster crackers or stacks of wet wipes.
American lobster, as well as some crab and fish, were put on the red list by Seafood Watch due to the effect fishing for the species has on right whales.
The organization hopes that by telling people to avoid American lobster, they will be more aware of the plight of the right whale.
Mark Baumgartner, a senior scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts who studies North Atlantic right whales, said that consumers need to understand the impacts of the fishing practices used to catch the food that they consume. There would be more of a demand for solutions if people were aware of the plight of the right whales.
The lobster industry is in constant compliance with state and federal laws aimed at protecting the whales. Major sellers and distributors of American lobster may be hesitant to stop selling them because of the actions of Seafood Watch.
The American lobster is the most popular type of lobster among consumers. Since the 1800s, men and women have been catching big-clawed crustaceans along the east coast of the US and Canada.
Most lobster fishermen still use pots to catch their quarry. Pots are loaded with bait and lowered to the bottom of the ocean. The pots are connected to a buoy that floats at the surface by a rope.
These ropes can make it difficult for whales to reach the surface to breathe or to dive deep to find food. Animals that don't drown or starve right away can drag gear for years, causing deep lacerations and draining energy that would be used for reproduction and growth.
Amy Knowlton is a senior scientist at the New England Aquarium who has been studying right whales for 40 years.
Fewer than 100 of the North Atlantic right whales are breeding, according to scientists. The leading cause of injury and death for this species isanglements.
In order for the North Atlantic right whale population to survive, the average number of whales killed by humans needs to be less than one a year.
In order to reduce the number of vertical lines in the North Atlantic right whale habitat and weaken the lines that are used so entangled whales can break free, the fisheries service announced new rules for catching American lobster in the U.S. Two new fishing ground closings were implemented.
The new regulations were a step in the right direction, but didn't go far enough to help the whales recover, according to seafood watch.
According to Sam Wilding, who is the Seafood Watch fisheries program manager, 7.7 whales die every year due to human causes. The other two are related to vessel strikes.
State and federal fishery managers have been working on the issue for more than two decades. Efforts have not been sufficient to save the whales. He said that the rate of impact from fishing was much higher than expected.
The North Atlantic right whale needs to be saved from extinction. Workers in the fishing industry think that seafood watch went too far by encouraging consumers to avoid American lobster.
Kristan Porter is a commercial lobster fisherman and president of the Maine Lobstermen's Association. The only thing I can do is follow the rules that are in front of me.
Steve Train is a commercial fisherman from Maine who has been lobstering for over 40 years.
Mr. Porter believes that lobster fishers should not be punished for the decline of right whales.
The transition to ropeless fishing gear is being tested in the US and Australia. It can be brought to the surface using a remote-controlled float, without the need for rope.
According to a whale ecologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service, this could allow fishermen to fish around right whales in a way that isn't endangering their lives.
Ropeless traps can cost as much as $4,000, while a traditional lobster trap can cost as little as $50. The Democrats in Congress introduced a bill that would put millions of dollars into the development and testing of ropeless gear and other technologies that have the potential to protect North Atlantic right whales. It hasn't gone to a vote.
Until American lobster fisheries can reduce their impact on right whales, seafood lovers should only choose spiny lobsters.
It's not clear if its advice will be taken seriously. Whole Foods Market is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to working with suppliers, local fisherman and fishery managers.
Experts concerned about the whales hope industry and political leaders will look beyond their immediate criticism and see an opportunity.
The fishing industry and the governments of the US and Canada need to come up with solutions to protect whales.
He said that it seemed like a no-brainer to put all the resources into this.
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