Live Lobsters Solar Power Energy Generation Guide
Live Lobsters May Survive Economic Crisis
By Genevieve Thomson
Lobster conservationists have an unlikely ally; oil.
Low prices for live lobsters and high bait fish prices,
coupled with steep fuel costs have pushed lobster fishermen
to cut back on their trips to check traps, or in some
cases, to get out of the lobster business altogether.
Yet less trapping means lobster numbers are also growing.
This unexpected boon for conservation efforts is a somewhat
surprising side effect of the economy in general. While
it is clear that human activities have a significant
impact on lobsters and their environment, it is usually
an adverse effect.
Decrease In Number Of Trawlers Deep Sea Fishing
For many years, conservationists have lobbied for regulating
international waters. Non-enforceable pacts have prevented
this from happening. What has had more impact than any
kind of regulation is the high price of fuel.
It becomes too costly to fish great distances from
port, so, fishing vessels don’t go out as far. While
there are still trawlers who continue fishing in much
of the deep ocean, far from land, their numbers have
significantly decreased.
Reduced Income For Fishermen
The Maine lobster industry, in addition to all the
continuing annual worries that accompany each new season
of fishing, is worried that the 35 percent increase
in fuel prices during the past six months is squeezing
every lobster fishermen’s income.
They are actually absorbing fuel costs twice; once
for their own boats and again for those of the bait
fishermen. This impact has forced some of the fishermen
of Maine lobsters to stop working, review their options
and to take jobs outside of the industry. It has also
discouraged young people from going into the business.
Unexpected Price Drop In Live Lobsters
To live lobster fisherman already struggling to make
ends meet, fuel costs just add another hurdle that is
almost impossible to overcome. The unexpected price
drop in live lobsters has had a significant impact on
trapping, so fuel charges create a situation that prevents
fishermen from having a way to make up for costs. This
effectively puts them out of business. This is happy
news for conservationists who recognize the ocean’s
bounty is in jeopardy.
The demand for live lobsters and fresh seafood may
diminish with rising fuel prices and higher costs associated
with their catch. Conservationists are wondering if
the economic turmoil and steep gas prices will eventually
diminish the demand for fresh lobster and fish in the
long term.
It is a precarious balance for consumers and industry
to try to maintain the livelihood of lobster fishermen
and also conserve and sustain crustacean and fish populations
in this time of economic unease. The fishing industry
will be feeling the effects of fuel costs for years
to come, yet in the meantime, sea life will have a chance
to thrive and grow.
About the Author:
Genevieve Thomson has written a number of articles on
ecosystems, recycling, solar power and renewable energy including
Ecosystem Conservation,
Forest Ecosystems,
Wetland Ecosystems,
Wind And Solar Power,
Solar Thermal,
Alternative Power Systems,
Alternative Fuel Vehicles,
Reduce Reuse Recycle.
Look out for new articles as they become available on this site.
Little Known Ecosystem Facts.....
How are ecosystems interconnected?
For the most part ecosystems are
interconnected through each other. It may be the snowshoe
hare that goes from an arctic landscape to the forest
floor. Each ecosystem on the planet is also touched
by mankind. You also have to factor in that within a
bigger ecosystem there will be smaller ecosystems living
and functioning on a daily basis.
It is a hard concept to wrap
your mind around that there are hundreds of different
ecosystems in the world and we have a part interconnecting
them all through us.
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