Connecticut’s Lobsters are making a comeback. Life-long lobster fisherman Mike Kalaman confirms the lobster catch from the Long Island Sound is more bountiful than we’ve seen in years.
Kalaman’s comments come during a press conference today alongside Senator Bob Duff, Senator Carlo Leone and Congressman Chris Perone . They were all key members in passing a law in June 2013 restricting the use of two mosquito pesticides.
Those pesticicdes, methoprene and resmethrin, are believed to be the cause a dramatic lobster die off in the late 1990’s. It’s now been a full year since those pesticides were restricted, and all agree that law is playing a big role in the lobsters’ return.
Research shows the lobster catch went from almost four million pounds in 1998 to 142 thousand pounds in 2012. Kalaman attributes the improved lobster catch to a cold winter and to Storm Sandy, which he says flushed new seawater into the sound, ridding the water of the toxins.
Right now, the Connecticut State Governmet is mandating a seasonal closure for lobster fishing in the Sound. That will remain in effect until November 28th.
