Southern New England lobster fishermen might have to start throwing back smaller lobsters in an attempt to stem population losses.
New restrictions are on tap for the region's historic lobster fishery, which is grappling with an unprecedented decline. Scientists have said lobsters off southern Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut have declined in the face of the warming ocean.
The regulatory Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is considering ways to help preserve the species, and a report from the commission says one way to preserve lobsters could be to increase the minimum harvesting size. The commission's lobster board might take action on the issue Thursday.
