Besides releasing lobsters below a minimum length, what does US regulation require fishermen to release?
Answer
Those deemed too large for harvesting
The regulatory framework implemented in the United States, which applies to Maine fishermen, utilizes a dual approach to stock protection by setting size boundaries on both ends of the spectrum. While fishermen must adhere to releasing undersized catches, typically below approximately 8.5 centimeters, they are also required to return lobsters that are too large for harvesting. This upper limit is often cited as being around 13 centimeters, serving the specific purpose of safeguarding the mature breeding stock within the population to ensure future sustainability, a practice that might differ in size standards from Canadian systems.

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