Wahle, Steneck Quoted in Business Insider Article on Lobster Prices

University of Maine marine scientists Bob Steneck and Rick Wahle were quoted in the Business Insider article “Something strange is happening to the Maine lobster population this year — and it could drastically raise prices.” This year, the price of lobster is increasing due to changing water temperatures that affect when lobsters molt, according to the article. Warmer water makes lobsters molt earlier in the year, and in 2012 New England’s ocean was relatively warm because of an “ocean heat wave,” Wahle said. The changing temperatures meant lobsters matured earlier, and the increase in lobsters caused the price per pound to plummet. Now the price is on the rise because the harsh winter dropped ocean temperatures around Maine to the lower end of the lobster comfort zone, the article states. “I predict that it will be a one-molt season, based on temperatures,” Steneck said, adding he thinks the molt will take place in July or August leaving not enough time for lobsters to grow enough for a second molt before the water cools. Yahoo Finance also carried the Business Insider article, and the Bangor Daily News and Daily Meal cited the report.