Isaac's effects

[Tom]

Our family is on the way down to marathon this weekend and I was wondering if anyone could fill me in on how the storm might have effected the lobster.

[chuck]

How was it? Did the storm have an effect on the lobster? Did you talk to any locals while you were down there?

[keyslocal]

Reports from the keys say that Isaac caused Florida lobsters to start walking. This effect lasts for several days. After a big storm like Isaac, lobsters move
out of their hiding spots along the reef, and start walking looking for new homes. Some divers reported just being able to scoop up their limit in a matter of minutes.
The commercial Florida lobster fishing fleet however suffered significant damage due to Hurricane Isaac. "There was a line of storms that came through and did serious damage off the Upper Keys," Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen's Association executive director Bill Kelly. He went on to say that they were looking at trap losses of between 25 and 50 percent. The longer term effect of Isaac on recreational divers is unknown at this time. Traps that are lost at sea, but remain
intact have the potential to wreck havoc on the lobster population because they remain in the water collecting lobster with no way for them to get out. Having said that, the effect could also be positive for recreational Florida lobsterman. Traps that remain unchecked will only hold so many lobsters, which may in fact be less than if they were constantly checked and re-baited. Only time will tell what the longer term effects will be.