In an effort to reduce the spread of marine invasive species, Canada ordered lobster pounds to euthanize all egg-bearing female lobsters. But two years after the measure was introduced, some in the business are still unaware of the requirement.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has banned the long-held practice of releasing egg-bearing or “berried” female lobsters when they are discovered in holding facilities.
Instead pounds “must immediately euthanize the lobster,” according to licence conditions quietly introduced in January 2022.
“The licence holder/operator is prohibited from releasing any egg-bearing female lobster into any lobster fishing area,” the conditions state.
DFO said in a statement the
