Warming Atlantic Ocean may be causing changes in lobster growth cycle

[marmar]

from the Toronto Star:



Warming Atlantic Ocean may be causing changes in lobster growth cycle
Lobster fishing is set to start early on the East Coast this spring because of changes to lobsters’ growth cycle that scientists believe may be linked to the warming Atlantic Ocean.


[font size="1"]Andrew Vaughan / THE CANADIAN PRESS file photo
Lobsters are most marketable before they moult because their shells are hard and full of meat. When they moult, they are fragile and can’t be shipped long distances.[/font]

By: Denis Calnan
Canada, Published on Tue Mar 12 2013


Lobster season is set to start early on parts of the East Coast this spring because of changes to lobsters’ growth cycle that scientists believe may be linked to the warming Atlantic Ocean.

Four lobster areas in Nova Scotia are opening 10 days earlier this April because of early moulting — or shedding — of lobsters in recent years. Last year fishermen in Nova Scotia and Maine say lobsters were moulting several weeks before they normally do.

Opening dates for lobster fishing change from time to time according to specific areas, but to see so many change in one year is unusual.

Bob Bayer, a professor of animal and veterinary sciences and the director of the Lobster Institute in Maine, said he’s never seen anything like this, “and I’ve been watching this stuff for over 30 years.” .....................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/03/12/warming_atlantic_ocean_may_be_causing_changes_in_lobster_growth_cycle.html

[LiberalEsto]

1. Next: Giant lobsters attack Maine!

Population attempts to fight back with vats of melted butter, but it only makes the lobsters more powerful.

[stuntcat]

2. It's a shame most people will only care about this because it's about food

Wait who am I kidding? "Care"?

No one I know can be bothered in the least with this kind of news, even when it effects what they can stuff into their fat selfish mouths.

[wtmusic]

4. +1

Maybe when the lobster in their Sizzler Surf N' Turf Lobster n' Angus Steak Combo looks more like a shrimp...

[PETRUS]

3. I only just noticed your sig line.

[cprise]

5. In other news Red Lobster overtakes McDonalds. nt