Page 6 - AD

A6

U.S. NEWSTuesday 12 April 2016

American Living:

Shellfish behavior: US lobster industry at odds with Sweden

Live lobsters are packed and weighed for overseas shipment at the Maine Lobster Outlet in York, European Union to bar one-fifth of all U.S. lobster
Maine. The American and Canadian lobster industries are digging in for a fight against the pos- imports of live American exports last year.
sibility of a ban on lobster exports to Europe. Sweden says live American lobsters could spread lobsters into the 28-nation The North American side
disease and overwhelm the native European variety. bloc, saying the crusta- points to a Swedish report
ceans could spread dis- that says a ban on Ameri-
(AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) ease and overwhelm the can crustaceans “would
smaller European variety potentially be beneficial in
PATRICK WHITTLE ing the rubber bands that rights activists. by outcompeting them for terms of profits and jobs”
Associated Press are put on lobsters’ claws in Their discovery has set off food. for Europe.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — captivity, many suspect the a high-stakes trade dispute The American and Ca-
Exactly how 32 American shellfish had been export- between Sweden on one nadian lobster industries The report also says the
lobsters wound up in Swed- ed to Europe and then ei- side and the U.S. and Can- are skeptical of Sweden’s discovery of the 32 Ameri-
ish waters isn’t clear. But ther escaped into the wild ada on the other. call for a ban, saying they can lobsters over the past
because some were wear- or were set free by animal Sweden has asked the suspect it has more to do eight years raises the pros-
with business than with sci- pect of shell disease and
ence. They suggest Swe- red-tail disease.
den is trying to protect the Gunvor Ericson, state sec-
market for European lob- retary for the Swedish Min-
sters. istry of Environment and
“Is it an invasion of species Energy, said Sweden con-
or an invasion of econom- siders American lobsters an
ics?” said Beth Casoni, ex- invasive species.
ecutive director of the Mas- A ban on imports would
sachusetts Lobstermen’s probably benefit countries
Association. “This ban is un- such as Iceland, which ex-
necessary.” ported more than 2 million
The North Americans are pounds of lobster to the EU
recruiting U.S. ambassa- in 2014, and Cuba.
dors and asking Secretary American lobster, a spe-
of State John Kerry and the cies that is caught in the
White House for help. cold waters of the North-
The stakes are high: The east and Maritime Cana-
U.S. and Canada export a da, tends to be bigger and
combined $200 million in meatier than the European
lobster to Europe annually, species.
and Europe took nearly U.S. scientists share the
doubts of the country’s
Northeast ferry operator feels the need for speed lobster industry.
Robert Bayer, director of
SANFORD, Maine (AP) — cabins, three restaurants, The Hawaii Superferry Alakai sits at Pier 19 in the harbor in Ho- the University of Maine Lob-
Passengers who ride the a casino and two bars in a nolulu. The vessel will become the new high-speed ferry to run ster Institute, said research
ferry from Portland, Maine, 528-foot ship. between Maine and Nova Scotia under a lease agreement with on shell disease does not
to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Mark MacDonald, presi- the Navy in summer 2016. suggest it is contagious,
will be missing some ameni- dent and CEO, says the and red-tail disease hasn’t
ties from last year. But there emphasis on the 349-foot (AP Photo/Lucy Pemoni) been seen in years.
will be less time to enjoy Cat is speed but that it will Rick Wahle, a research
them. still be a pleasant place to professor at the university’s
Bay Ferries, which is tak- ride. It will have a place marine science school,
ing over the route, says its for passengers to watch a dismissed the danger of
high-speed catamaran movie or television, a mid- interbreeding, another risk
traveling at 40 mph will cut priced restaurant, a gift raised by the Swedes. He
the transit time to 5½ hours shop and two bars. said there is no evidence
from 10 hours. Tickets go on sale this hybrids of the two lobster
The Nova Star had 162 week.q species are viable in the
wild. q