Lobster populations in areas fished by New York lobstermen have reached record high population levels in recent years, and the commercial catch has also reached record high levels. A recent report from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation suggests that increased fishing effort, favorable environmental conditions, and declines in other marine stocks are all factors that have contributed to the boon in the lobster fishery. The annual NY landings data for lobsters summarized in the graphs above shows a significant increase from 1995 to the present. Although landings have increased steadily during this time, the data is skewed by changes in the data collection methods. Prior to 1995, landings estimates were obtained from the National Marine Fisheries Service and most experts agree that the actual commercial harvest was underestimated during this time. Data from 1995 to the present is believed to be a much more accurate representation of the actual commercial harvest of lobsters in New York.
THE HARVESTING SECTOR
Many New York fishermen make all or part of their living catching lobsters. In 1998, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) issued 761 resident commercial lobster fishing permits, 1,728 resident non-commercial lobster fishing permits, 63 non-resident commercial lobster fishing permits, and 12 lobster landing permits. The number of commercial lobster permits issued by the state over the past 30 years has fluctuated as shown in the graph below. These fluctuations have primarily been influenced by changes in public policy. In 1977 the State increased the lobster harvesting permit fee from $5.00 to $50.00 and the number of permits issued decreased significantly. In 1988 a significant increase in harvesting permits was associated with a new commercial food fish harvesting license. Harvesters who purchased this license could also receive a lobster harvesting permit for no additional fee, and the number of permit holders increased significantly. In 1995, state policy changed again and the food fish harvesting permit fee no longer included a lobster harvesting permit and a moratorium on licenses was also established resulting in a decrease in the number of lobster permits issued by New York State.Most of the lobsters landed in New York are harvested in Long Island Sound. A 1999 DEC report on the crab and lobster fisheries in New York summarized commercial lobster fishing activity by fishing area and gear type. The results are summarized in the table below. These numbers are not additive since many fishermen may report using a combination of gear types and/or a combination of areas that they fish for lobster over the course of the year.
Area Fished
All Fisherman Pot Fisherman Trawl Fishermen Dive Fisherman Other Gear LI Sound
504
477
27
29
5
South Shore
229
130
124
23
7
Inshore
193
108
108
15
7
Offshore
147
69
102
14
3
East End
206
171
56
9
8
Most of the commercial catch of lobsters landed in New York's waters comes from Long Island Sound. DEC reports indicate that in 1997 86% of the lobsters landed in New York were from Long Island Sound, about 8% from the South Shore of Long Island, and 6% from the East End. Over the past twenty years the percentage of the NY harvest from Long Island Sound has increased while the percentage from the South Shore and East End has decreased.
