Lobster fishing is a game of inches, and the number of inches is about to change. Fishing regulators are instituting a new rule that lobster fishermen must abide by stricter minimum sizes for crustaceans they harvest. The changes do not apply in Canada, which has an even larger lobster fishing industry than the U.S. Some scientists who study the fishery have supported the minimum size change. But the lobster industry sees a different story, said Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, the oldest and largest fishing industry association on the East Coast.

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Persons: Gerry Cushman, ” Cushman, ”, Caitlin Starks, Robert F, Erica Fuller, ” Fuller, “, Barre Campbell, Geoff Irvine, ” Irvine, John Sackton, Sackton, Richard Wahle, Patrice McCarron, lobsterman, Jared Golden, Golden Organizations: Associated Press, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Conservation Law Foundation, Scientists, Atlantic, Fisheries, Oceans, Lobster Council of Canada, University of Maine, Maine Lobstermen’s Association, Democratic Locations: PORTLAND, Maine, New England, Port Clyde, Canada, Head , Maine, of Maine, Gulf of Maine, U.S, Oceans Canada, China, East Coast