1. Scientists Discover ‘Dark’ Oxygen Being Produced More Than 13,000 Feet Below the Ocean Surface
A mysterious phenomenon first observed in 2013 aboard a vessel in a remote part of the Pacific Ocean appeared so preposterous, it convinced ocean scientist Andrew Sweetman that his monitoring equipment was faulty. Sensor readings seemed to show that oxygen was being made on the seabed 4,000 meters below the surface, where no light can penetrate.
Photosynthetic organisms such as plants, plankton and algae use sunlight to produce oxygen that cycles into the ocean depths, but previous studies conducted in the deep sea have shown that oxygen is only consumed, not produced, by the organisms that live there, Sweetman said. Now, his team’s research is challenging this long-held assumption, finding oxygen produced without photosynthesis. The study demonstrates how much is still unknown about the ocean depths and underscores what’s at stake in the push to exploit the ocean floor for rare metals and minerals.
Thank you for your generous gift that will help us continue the production of this weekly, free publication
2. ‘Cocaine Sharks’ Discovered in Brazil Raise Alarm Over Ocean Pollution
Significant levels of cocaine were found in Brazilian sharpnose sharks. A research team, led by environmental scientist Gapriel de Farias Araujo from the Oswaldo Cruz Institute in Brazil, found high concentrations of cocaine in every one of the 13 juvenile and young adult Brazilian sharpnose sharks (Rhizoprionodon lalandii) they tested. Pharmaceutical pollution is a global problem, with many waterways containing levels of active ingredients – like those in antibiotics, synthetic estrogen, and recreational drugs – considered high enough to put ecosystems at risk.
Brazil faces a particularly serious problem with cocaine as a pollutant. Drugs filter into the waterways via sewage after being excreted by consumers. Brazil’s illegal refining facilities or drug packages discarded at its ports could also contribute to its pollution problem. Once in the environment, cocaine is absorbed by marine organisms lower down the food chain, where it accumulates, and is then absorbed in greater concentrations by higher-order organisms.
3. AI Unlocks Whale Language Secrets
A recent research discovery has established that sperm whales utilize sophisticated communication systems with structures similar to human language, specifically regarding the rhythmic sequences of clicks referred to as codas. To elaborate, the Cetacean Translation Initiative (CETI) research project made use of AI to analyze thousands of recordings and identify 156 unique coda types in sperm whale communication, while simultaneously considering data from The Dominica Sperm Whale Project that had already identified 21 coda types.
Researchers found that sperm whales show complex social behaviors, decision-making, and communication skills, such as using vocalizations with variations that convey different meanings. Although researchers emphasize the importance of continuing research to expand understanding on this topic, they also claim that this aforementioned data suggests sperm whale communication may exhibit the duality of patterning, a linguistic phenomenon found in human language.
4. Danish Authorities Arrest Anti-Whaling Activist Paul Watson
NUUK, Greenland —- Paul Watson, an anti-whaling activist and reality television star, was arrested in Greenland on Sunday by Denmark authorities as his ship stopped to refuel during a voyage to track down a Japanese whaling ship. Watson could now experience extradition to Japan for his alleged actions that occurred in previous years. To elaborate, The Captain Paul Watson Foundation claimed that this, “. . . arrest is believed to be related to a former Red Notice issued for Captain Watson’s previous anti-whaling interventions in the Antarctic region.”
Here, the foundation is referring to when Interpol issued a Red Notice in 2012 for Watson after the Japan Coast Guard published his arrest warrant in 2010. As of now, Watson remains in custody and it is unknown if he will be extradited to Japan. The Japan Coast Guard told CNN it will “respond appropriately in coordination and cooperation with related organizations.”
5. Humpback Whale Is Back! Piscataqua River Boaters Get a Show After Kittery Sightings
PORTSMOUTH, Maine — A humpback whale caught the attention of boaters on the Piscataqua River off the coast of Portsmouth and New Castle on Sunday. It’s believed to be the same whale recently seen breaching in Pepperrell Cove in Kittery, Maine. “There were a lot of boats around it,” said Dianna Schulte, co-founder and director of research for the Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation, who is urging caution.
She noted the whale in Pepperrell Cove was spotted eating menhaden, referred to as pogies, which is what she believes attracted the whale into the river. Humpback whales can weigh upwards of 40 tons, stretch 60 feet in length, and live to be about 80 to 90 years old, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Humpback whales face threats around the globe, including being struck by vessels, climate change, fishing net and gear entanglement, harassment, and noise.
6. How Can We Save Africa’s Mysterious ‘Humpback’ Dolphin?
A Nigerian conservationist and his team are racing to save the Atlantic humpback dolphin, found in Africa’s coastal waters. Edem Archibong Eniang, executive director of the NGO Biodiversity Preservation Center (BPC) in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, said his team is working on a survey to establish the status of the critically endangered Atlantic humpback dolphin towards its conservation in Nigeria. “In a few local communities, BPC has successfully promoted the in-situ conservation of dolphins and manatees using community awareness and conservation education activities targeted at fisher folks who were going to the sea,” he said.
Eniang explained that the biggest challenges to conservation efforts include illiteracy, lack of awareness and poverty of community members, and lack of funding, research tools, equipment and sufficient personnel. But there are still opportunities for the long-term survival of the Atlantic humpback dolphin, as well as other marine species of Nigeria.
7. The Bajau Laut: Navigating Tradition and Conservation
MALAYSIA — The Bajau Laut have a rich maritime history in Southeast Asia, living nomadically and relying on ocean resources. Their extensive knowledge of marine ecosystems is crucial for sustainable fishing. Their diving and navigation skills, along with sustainable marine resource use, have allowed them to thrive in harmony with nature. However, they are facing marginalisation, statelessness, and lack of access to public services and social equality.
The forced evictions of the Bajau Laut in Tun Sakaran Marine Park highlight the conflict between conservation and indigenous rights. There is a need for a balanced approach that respects both the environment and these indigenous stewards. Conservation is most effective when guided by those living closest to these ecosystems. Recognising the Bajau Laut’s invaluable knowledge and contributions honours their cultural heritage and ensures the sustainability of marine resources.
8. The Demand for Sustainably Sourced Seafood Is Revolutionizing the UK Seafood Industry
Whitby, the UK historic harbor town known for its stunning views, has become a focal point in the resurgence of the UK’s seafood industry. Over the years, the fishing industry in Whitby faced challenges due to overfishing, regulations, and environmental concerns. However, recent initiatives, including the 2021 Aquaculture Act, have aimed to rejuvenate the sector.
These efforts emphasize sustainability, stricter quotas, habitat restoration, and the promotion of innovative practices like mussel and oyster farming. As a result, the local seafood market has diversified, with a growing demand for sustainably sourced seafood. Restaurants and retailers proudly display certifications attesting to their commitment to both the local community and marine conservation. Whitby’s transformation serves as a model for other coastal communities seeking to balance tradition with modernity.
9. University of Rhode Island and Nova Southeastern University Set a Record for Tracking of Whale Sharks
Researchers from the University of Rhode Island and Nova Southeastern University have been tracking a remarkable 26-foot endangered whale shark named “Rio Lady” for over four years. This extended tracking effort sets a record for whale sharks and represents one of the longest tracking endeavors for any shark species. Whale sharks, the world’s largest fish and third-largest creatures in the ocean (behind blue and fin whales), inhabit tropical oceans.
They swim slowly near the surface, mouths wide open, scooping up small fish, fish eggs, and plankton. To survive, they need to travel about 5,000 miles annually in search of food. Whale shark populations have declined due to human interactions, leading to their listing as Globally Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Rio Lady’s incredible journey spanned approximately 27,000 miles over nearly 1,700 days between 2018 and 2023.
10. Hong Kong May Ban Whale Watching
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) released a report into the death of a Bryde’s whale found in Hong Kong waters last year, concluding that it was killed by a fast-moving vessel. In response to criticism that it was slow to act to protect the whale, Hong Kong is consulting with marine life experts on specific proposals for legislative amendments to prohibit whale-watching activities.
The AFCD announced a response plan for various scenarios involving the appearance of cetaceans that do not usually reside in Hong Kong, including interdepartmental coordination and sharing of information with the public. The probe was unable to determine the type of vessel involved in the incident, but experts estimated sampans and speedboats were not likely to have been the cause of death. The official report also ruled out the possibility that fishing operations had caused the death of the whale.
11. Suriname Published Its First National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
Suriname, a South American country, has recently released its updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), which aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The plan outlines actions to enhance funding for nature conservation and restoration. One notable aspect is the exploration of biodiversity offsetting, a mechanism aimed at balancing ecological impacts by compensating for biodiversity loss in one area through conservation efforts elsewhere.
The main lessons learned from the first report were that the strategy was not well integrated in national planning and policies. Suriname’s plan outlines four goals: biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of nature, fair access and equitable benefit sharing, and enabling conditions to drive funding. This strategic approach positions Suriname as a proactive participant in global biodiversity conservation efforts.
12. Impacts of Marine Heatwaves on Subsurface Temperatures and Dissolved Oxygen in the Chesapeake Bay
Marine heatwaves (MHWs), prolonged events with elevated water temperatures, have not been well studied in the subsurface due to data scarcity. Using three decades of observations, we were able to investigate subsurface warming and changes in dissolved oxygen (DO) during surface MHW in the Chesapeake Bay. Two seasonal regimes of subsurface warming occurred: a fall/winter “Homogeneous Regime,” when extreme warming occurred throughout the water column; and a spring/summer “Stratified Regime,” when extreme warming occurred only in the surface and not the bottom.
These regimes were caused by surface heating from the atmosphere and regulated by the seasonal changes in freshwater present in the Bay, which can inhibit heat penetration. During MHW, DO concentrations decreased, especially at the bottom of the deep channel during the winter/spring. These DO decreases were also associated with a hypoxic-zone expansion; the region of harmfully low DO.
13. President Biden Wants to Phase out Single-Use Plastics by the Federal Government
The Biden-Harris administration announced that it will be phasing out single-use plastics by the federal government, including plastic food service containers, by 2027, and from all federal operations by 2035. This goal is part of a larger commitment from the Biden White House to tackle plastic pollution. The plastic-free movement has been picking up speed in the foodservice industry and in smaller pieces of legislation throughout the country.
As more cities and counties ban single-use plastics, restaurants are scrambling to find biodegradable alternatives for takeout containers, plastic utensils, and even plastic sauce containers, all of which can be more expensive than traditional single-use plastics. Larger restaurant chains are joining this trend, with NextGen Consortium announcing a new returnable beverage pilot program in partnership with Starbucks, Dunkin’, Peet’s Coffee, Burger King and Yum Brands.
14. Environmental Pollution and Human Health – How Worried Should We Be?
From hormone disruptors in our rivers, to PFAS and microplastics just about everywhere, it seems there’s plenty to worry about. This article says we should worry about pollution, but just because something is present does not automatically mean it is causing harm. The author finds air pollution the biggest worry, with more proven health effects than microplastics or PFAS. The Lancet Commission estimates air pollution is responsible for about 9 million deaths a year.
Fortunately, we can monitor air pollution, even at home. We know what levels are dangerous, and how to reduce exposure. The levels of PFAS needed to cause health effects tend to be orders of magnitude higher than those typically found in the environment. Multiple independent regulatory agencies worldwide list glyphosate (a pesticide used in food) as non-carcinogenic. Several reports of microplastics in food and blood have been criticised by other scientists.
15. Jeeva Resorts Announces “Tukik Release” Event to Protect Our Oceans
LOMBOK, Indonesia — Jeeva Resorts is proud to announce a special event dedicated to the conservation of marine life – the Tukik Release – which will take place on the 22nd of July, 2024, at Jeeva Klui. This event represents a collective effort to protect our oceans by releasing newly hatched sea turtles, known locally as tukik, back into their natural habitat. Sea turtles are an essential part of marine ecosystems, and their conservation is crucial for maintaining the health of our oceans.
The Tukik Release event is an integral part of Jeeva Resorts’ ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable tourism. Participants will have the unique opportunity to learn about sea turtle conservation efforts and actively participate in the release of the hatchlings. This hands-on experience aims to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these endangered creatures and the critical role they play in the marine environment.
16. Newly Established Barbados Environmental Sustainability Fund to Provide Grant Funding
The Barbados Environmental Sustainability Fund (BESF), was recently formed as an NGO, established to source and provide financial resources to enable environmental conservation and sustainability in Barbados. The official launch was held on 5th July, 2024. The Launch Event and Announcement of the first call for proposals was attended by stakeholders, including representatives from the Government of Barbados, The Nature Conservancy, the Inter-American Development Bank, CIBC Caribbean, Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and The University of the West Indies.
The BESF is funded through an innovative debt-for-nature swap negotiated by the Government of Barbados which successfully redirected a portion of its sovereign debt service into marine conservation funding. The savings generated by the swap will be managed by the BESF which will issue grants to support projects aligned with its strategic priority areas.
17. Fiscal Year 2025 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act
Washington, D.C. — The House Appropriations Committee approved on July 9, 2024, the Fiscal Year 2025 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act with a vote of 29 to 25. The Act provides a total discretionary allocation of $38.478 billion, which is $72 million (0.2%) below the Fiscal Year 2024 enacted level and $4.407 billion (10%) below the President’s Budget Request.
According to the bill’s sponsors, the bill meets the programmatic needs while rightsizing agency funding levels, including a 20% reduction to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Meanwhile, the Biden Administration strongly opposes House passage of H.R. 8998. It says “Republicans are again wasting time with partisan bills that would result in deep cuts to law enforcement, education, housing, healthcare, consumer safety, energy programs that lower utility bills and combat climate change, and essential nutrition services.”
18. Hawaii Gave Up Funding For Marine Mammal Protection Because of Cumbersome Paperwork
State officers enforcing Hawaii’s conservation laws had enhanced their patrols and resources for years under the “joint enforcement agreement” (JEA), which sent thousands of federal dollars to the state’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) each year to help NOAA protect marine animals. Although DOCARE withdrew from the JEA last year due to burdensome monthly reporting requirements for federal dollars, DOCARE now wants to reapply.
However, federal agents have downplayed the deal coming to a stop for at least a year, as there’s been little impact to DOCARE’s enforcement levels despite the loss of federal funds. Nonetheless, DOCARE Enforcement Chief Jason Redulla and NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement still claim the JEA is a helpful tool that strengthens the resources used to enforce federal laws protecting marine species. NOAA is now attempting to revise the reporting requirements, but federal funding awards necessitate abundant justification.
19. Scripps Researchers Successfully Measure Deep Water Upwelling
UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and an international research team collaborated to measure cold, deep water upwelling from a canyon in the Atlantic Ocean. To measure the upwelling, researchers lowered a drum supplied with fluorescein about 30 feet above the canyon sea floor, where they then released the colored dye and observed its ascent. Unexpectedly, the measured upwelling was 10,000 times the global average predicted in the 1960s.
Bethan Wynne-Cattanach, a Scripps postdoctoral fellow, claimed that this study, “…observed upwelling that’s never been directly measured before. The rate of that upwelling is also really fast, which, along with measurements of downwelling elsewhere in the oceans, suggests there are hotspots of upwelling.” Senior author of the study, Matthew Alford, additionally claimed that, “We need to be doing more…experiments like this one in key parts of the ocean to better understand the physical processes.”
20. Scoliosis Penguin Makes Slow but Steady Progress to Recovery
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — AP074, a penguin rescued from the Stony Point penguin colony on February 13, 2024, has been making progress with the assistance of the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB). AP074 was discovered with a swollen head and neck curled to one side and laboured breathing. After his admission to the SANCCOB Seabird Hospital, he was diagnosed with scoliosis, which appeared to be a result of a predator attack.
This was made apparent through a CT scan that displayed a number of the bird’s vertebrae had been crushed and healed wrongly. AP074’s treatment is going well and rehabilitators are helping him through challenges in his healing journey. His name remains a rescue number because there are plans to return him to the wild eventually, but until then, donations are welcomed in support of AP074’s journey through the attached link.
21. Configuration Analysis of Marine Economic Resilience Based on 11 Coastal Provinces of China
Marine economic resilience (MER) is considered crucial for high-quality and sustainable development of the marine economy. This study takes 11 coastal provinces in China as cases, integrates six condition variables by building a Resistance capability-Recovery capability-Renewal capability configuration model, and uses the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) approach to empirically explore the configuration effect between multiple land factors and MER.
The study found that none of the six conditions in the model alone had significant explanatory power for MER. It also found there are two configurations for strong MER. Industrial structure, governmental capability, and digital economy are the core conditions for strong MER configurations. The study found four weak MER configurations. This study may expand the research scope of MER influencing factors and enrich the research perspective of land-sea integration, as well as providing decision-makers with practical policy implications.
22. EU Adopts Updated Fisheries Measures in the North-East Atlantic
The Council of the European Union has officially adopted a comprehensive set of updated fisheries measures within the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) area. This newly adopted regulation consolidates all previously separate NEAFC measures into a single, cohesive regulation. Among the main updates are enhanced controls on transhipment operations at sea and new rules regarding vessel waste and the retrieval of lost fishing gear.
One of the significant changes is the implementation of camera and sensor technologies to monitor landing and processing facilities. The regulation also extends the ban on bottom fishing in certain areas until the end of 2027, aimed at safeguarding deep-sea corals, sponges, and other sensitive habitats. Further, the regulation outlines control measures for four pelagic fisheries in the North-East Atlantic: mackerel, horse mackerel, blue whiting, and herring.
23. Video Captures Rare Nest of Sea Turtles Emerging on Pinellas County Beach
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The first documented nest of leatherback turtles successfully hatched on Pinellas County beaches. A video from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium shows the baby sea turtles hatching during daylight, which is rare because they tend to emerge at night. Staff from the aquarium brought the turtles in for evaluation and were later released at night to “minimize impact from heat and predation.”
Leatherback turtles are usually found on Florida’s east coast with half of leatherback nesting happening in Palm Beach County, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The turtles are named for their rubbery shell and are the largest sea turtles. Their nesting occurs primarily from March through July and officials urge people to do their part in making sure turtles are able to make their way into the ocean safely.
24. Mr. Garson Goes to Brazil
FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. — Sam Garson, a teacher at Friday Harbor High School on San Juan Island, frequently searches for unique learning opportunities to offer his STEM students. For example, Garson recently traveled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and then into the Atlantic Rainforest on a group expedition consisting of himself and eight other teachers. Garson said that the group “… assumed the role of students for the week, where [they] followed exactly what a student program would do…”
Because Garson realizes the cost of sending students into South America, he instead likes to tie the missions of these far-away projects to local projects that relate to San Juan Islanders. Garson explained how, “Living on these islands, we’re separate from the rest of the world. And I really do want my students to feel as though they can access worldwide resources and they can look for opportunities.”
25. Shark Conservation Efforts Require Attitude Change and Community Involvement
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The Department of Fisheries (DOF) has claimed that raising awareness regarding shark conservation necessitates community involvement, understanding, and attitude changes. For example, public education programmes can be used to spread information about the role of sharks in maintaining marine ecosystems, ultimately then leading to a conversation surrounding the importance of shark conservation. The local community can further assist in shark protection by not disturbing sharks, nor eating fin-based dishes.
This is a pressing issue particularly in Malaysia, as shark populations there are threatened by incidental catches by fisherman. The DOF has begun training fishermen with species identification training, but they are also providing the public with awareness posters. Thus, while The DOF is working on creating relevant regulations, policies, and training programmes, it is clear that the Malaysian public also has an important role in shark conservation.
26. Protecting the Red Sea From Ship Pollution
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Ships passing by the Red Sea or docked at its ports will soon be asked to have on-board water treatment machines to treat water, protect marine life and limit the spread of ocean pollution.There is an international protocol that stresses the need for ships to have water treatment facilities built in them, said the Secretary-General of the Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA), Ziad Abu Ghararah. “Ships’ contribution to pollution is an essential issue when addressing the environment and marine life.
All countries on the Red Sea coast will have to adhere to the new protocol and be ready for it,” he said. The most pressing environment and marine life issue is sewage dumping, as well as the damage done to coral reefs, which are extensive in some areas.
27. This Strange-Looking Sea Creature With Human-Like Hands Is Going Extinct
Tasmanian coast, Australia — The Red handfish, a peculiar angler fish with human-like hands, is one of the world’s most endangered species. Found exclusively in two small reef patches off Tasmania’s coast, this vibrant creature measures no more than four inches long. Andrew Trotter, head of the Red handfish conservation breeding project, describes it as “an amazing curiosity of evolution.”
It resides on the seabed and uses its pectoral fins to walk across the seafloor. Its limited mobility confines it to small reef patches off Tasmania, making it vulnerable to pollution, habitat loss, and urban development. Due to their rarity and vulnerability, Australian researchers have taken approximately 25 of the known 100 wild Red handfish into captivity; three died but 18 were brought back to their habitat. Researchers are also exploring a captive breeding program, part of a larger effort to protect Tasmania’s rich marine biodiversity.
28. UK Village Fights to Turn Back Tide of Climate Change
HEMSBY BEACH, England – Kevin Jordan thought he would spend his retirement listening to the sound of the sea at his home on the Norfolk coast in eastern England. But his dream collapsed in November and he lost everything overnight when his house was demolished due to coastal erosion. Now he is part of a landmark legal case brought by climate activist group Friends of the Earth, accusing the government of not doing enough to protect people from the foreseeable effects of climate change.
After the storm, Jordan and four neighbours received a letter telling them to move, because their homes would be demolished within a week. No compensation was offered. In 2020, it was estimated that 28 percent of the coastline in England and Wales was retreating by at least 10 centimetres a year due to erosion. The problem is accelerating because of global warming.
29. Martha’s Vineyard Fumes at Plot to Put Sodium Hydroxide in the Ocean
As part of a new strategy to fight climate change, scientists are proposing dropping toxic sodium hydroxide into the ocean just 10 miles southwest of Martha’s Vineyard as soon as September of this year, angering both locals and environmental groups. Researchers at the Massachusetts-based Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) are awaiting approval from the EPA to release a 6,600-gallon mixture of sodium hydroxide solution and freshwater into the Atlantic, in hopes that this will boost the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide emissions.
The scientists equate this to giving the ocean a huge dose of Tums, thereby increasing the pH and allowing the seawater to take in more planet-warming gasses. But residents and environmentalists argue that sodium hydroxide, otherwise known as lye which is highly corrosive, is a harmful substance that could kill wildlife. The EPA has tentatively approved the experiment, which would happen next summer. Many scientists who doubt humanity can turn around its massive energy consumption and atmospheric pollution in a matter of decades publicly endorsed the gambit by WHOI, believing it to be a clever plan to reduce emissions without needing a society-wide modification to human behavior.
30. T. Rowe Price Sees Blue Bond Market Poised for Growth
BLOOMBERG — Blue bonds are debt instruments issued by companies or financial institutions to fund projects that help protect or revive the world’s oceans and waterways in the face of climate change, overfishing and pollution. The market has risen to about $7.2 billion since the first blue bond was issued six years ago. Willem Visser, portfolio manager at T. Rowe Price, said “The goal now is to strip water-focused projects from the wider $4 trillion market for green bonds and “develop a dedicated asset class.”
A total of 53 blue bonds have been issued since 2018, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The bonds vary in size from a $12.8 million offering from Indonesia to a $750 million instrument issued by Seaspan Corp. to help the company decarbonize its fleet of ships. Almost half of the blue bonds issued to date have originated from Chinese entities.
31. Gear Up For Florida Recreational Spiny Lobster Season!
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has updated the public on new lobster harvesting criteria. Lobsters must now have a minimum carapace size of 3 inches. In Monroe County, a maximum of six lobsters may be taken, while twelve lobsters can be taken in other state waters. Most important, a new “Lionfish Challenge” has been introduced. Participants who harvest at least 25 lionfish, an invasive species harmful to local ecosystems, will be awarded the right to harvest two additional lobsters as an incentive.
