CBC News cites Steneck in report of large lobster being saved

Robert Steneck, a professor of marine sciences at the University of Maine, was quoted in a CBC News report about a 23-pound live lobster at a seafood shop in Alma, New Brunswick. At her grandfather’s urging, a Halifax woman called the store to see what could be done to save the lobster, according to the article. The shop’s owners agreed to sell the lobster, dubbed King Louie, to her for $230, or $10 per pound, and even helped release it in the Bay of Fundy, the article states. According to Steneck, it is possible for caught lobsters to live for many years after being returned to the sea. “We’ve had lobsters that were kept cold and damp but not in water for a few days before we get them back to the lab, and they’ve lived in the lab for years,” he said, adding that lobsters should be returned to the same environment they came from for the best chance at survival. Overall, Steneck said discussion about returning lobsters to the ocean can be a good thing for raising awareness about the ecosystem. “I’d rather see more people have sensitivities to the natural world around us,” he said. “There are a lot of potential positives there.”