Connecticut lobstermen are a dwindling breed in face of rest

bigoutdoors

During the past 15 years, Connecticut's remaining lobstermen have survived the die-off of the late 1990s, repeated increases in the minimum size of legal catch, other new regulations, rising prices for fuel and falling wholesale prices from competition with larger, healthier fisheries north of Cape Cod and in Canada.

"They've just been taking hits from every direction," said Tessa Getchis, associate extension educator at Connecticut Sea Grant, based at the University of Connecticut's Avery Point campus in Groton. "Many are considering leaving the industry or have already given up on fishing because of the die-off and regulatory restrictions that have minimized or eliminated the profitability.

"But there are some still fighting the fight, who aren't going to back down," Getchis said.

With even more limits on commercial lobstering in Long Island seeming inevitable, as fisheries regulators seek to preserve a species they say shows no sign of recovery, the prospects that the situation will get any easier for lobstermen look bleak. Further attrition in the ranks of the remaining 130 or so commercial lobstermen appears a certainty, and the ones who remain are going to have to become more efficient and marketing-savvy.

"We don't think there are going to be a lot of people left in the industry," Getchis said.

Sea Grant, in cooperation with the Connecticut Commercial Lobstermen's Association, is offering help to the remaining lobstermen with the Lobster Trade Adjustment Assistance program. Approved in September for funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it offers assistance to lobstermen to help make up for losses from competition from lower-priced Canadian imports, and classes to teach lobstermen how to increase their profitability.

"It's not going to save someone's business," Getchis said.

The program will also offer the lobstermen classes in refitting their boats and reapplying their skills to other marine trades. This spring and summer, aquaculture courses will be offered. Each lobsterman who applies will be eligible for up to $12,000 in financial help and training.

Thus far, about 80 lobstermen who own their own boats and crew members have signed up for the program, Getchis said.

Among them is Michael Grimshaw of Stonington, who's been a lobsterman for about 35 years. He keeps two boats at the Town Dock, one with licenses to fish in federal waters, and the other for state waters. He's hoping the program will help him develop a business plan to increase profits, or retraining for another field.

"Ten years ago, we were still doing well. Now, everybody's in trouble," said Grimshaw, who is president of the Southern New England Fishermen and Lobstermen's Association. "This (the Sea Grant program) is a lifeline, and we need to take it. Nobody wants a handout, but we need some help."

Increases in fuel prices, increasing regulations and a drop in wholesale prices for lobsters to as low as $2 to $3 per pound, he said, have converged to make his business barely profitable.

"There's no extra money for upkeep and maintenance of our boats, or replacing lost traps," he said.

- Judy Benson