Press Herald interviews Steneck about lobsters for article in Gulf of Maine series
Robert Steneck, a marine scientist at the University of Maine Darling Marine Center, spoke with the Portland Press Herald for the article, “Gulf of Maine’s cold-craving species forced to retreat to deeper waters,” which is part of the series, “Mayday: Gulf of Maine in distress.” The warming Gulf introduces potential perils for lobsters and the lobster industry, Steneck said. “We’re definitely seeing this geographic shift and it’s in keeping with the warming of the Gulf,” he said. “Unless something changes in terms of ocean temperature trends, the Gulf of Maine will not likely remain a great place for high lobster abundance. How long this takes to play out — whether it’s decades or centuries — nobody knows.” Potential problems for lobsters related to warming water in the Gulf include having less dissolved oxygen in the water and shell disease, according to the article.