BOSTON—Lobstermen in southern New England are facing a possible five-year fishing ban after biologists made that recommendation to regulators, saying the drastic step is needed to save the depleted stock.
The Lobster Technical Committee of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission acknowledged "the catastrophic effects" on local lobstermen if the moratorium was enacted. But it said it was needed to rebuild the lobster population and secure the industry's long-term health.
Rhode Island lobsterman Bill McElroy said there will be no industry in southern New England if the recommendation is adopted.
Read the complete story at The Boston Globe.