Lobster Trap Says Chick Lobsters Mistakenly 
Sent to Price Chopper Didn't Meet NY's Unique Length Req
Lobster Trap, the Massachusetts-based lobster supplier to Price Chopper, said that it mistakenly shipped a batch of lobsters to the retailer that did not meet New York state's unique minimum size requirements. New York requires a minimum lobster length of 3 3/8 inch, which is a 1/8 inch more than what is required in all other markets for chick-sized lobsters. Lobster Trap said the short lobsters confiscated by New York authorities last week were accidently packed in Price Chopper's shipment. “We’re shipping tens of thousands of lobsters daily. It’s important for people to understand that Price Chopper didn’t knowingly accept short length lobsters from us. We delivered them in error. We find it truly unfortunate that our unintentional lack of oversight has put into question their fine reputation as a retailer with whom we have done business for nearly 30 years," said Lobster Trap's owners Logan Clarke and Dave Madden in a statement. The supplier said it will no longer house lobsters shorter than 3 3/8 inches at its Cape Cod facility.
Newfoundland's snow crab landings this season are the lowest since 1996. The DFO reports that 37,958 tons have been landed, or 89% of quota. However, nearly 3000 tons of quota is in areas such as 3PS where the fishery has already closed, so total landings will be below 40,000 tons. Snow crab prices are now up 30 percent over last year given the declines in Newfoundland and Alaskan catches. Snow crab shipments to Japan are at their lowest level in 14 years given more limited inventories, higher prices and more competition from US buyers.
In other news, the search for the F/V Juris has been called off. It is presumed to have sunk in 5,400 feet of water not far from where it was last seen. “We have searched and have not been able to locate the fishing vessel Alaska Juris," said Lt. Todd Bagetis, federal on-scene coordinator. The unified command of the Coast Guard, Alaska’s Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Fishing Company of Alaska, formed to respond to the sinking of the Juris, is no longer active, although the USCG investigation of the sinking, and perhaps other jurisdiction’s investigation of the incident, are ongoing.
Meanwhile, Alaskan salmon fishermen in Cook Inlet are getting higher prices for their fish by selling directly to buyers. About 31 fishermen currently hold direct marketing licenses in Cook Inlet through the ADF&G's direct marketing permitting program. Fishermen say they are able to earn up to twice as much for their sockeye and three times as much for silver salmon compared to fishermen who sell to processors.
Finally, fishery regulators may increase the minimum size requirements for lobster landed south of Cape Cod. The Atlantic States fishery commission is meeting this week and could take action on Thursday to raise the harvesting size for lobsters caught in waters off southern Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.
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