Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Lobsters Dying Out In Long Island Sound
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Aug 30, 2014
Modified Aug 30, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Jake Dobkin/Gothamist
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Aug 30, 2014
Modified Aug 30, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Before you contemplate stealing a bunch of live lobsters from your local Shop Rite, keep in mind that the Long Island Sound is suffering from a serious lobster die off, threatening $40 lobster rolls areawide.
Lobster fisherman in the Sound suffered record low hauls this season, experiencing a 54 percent drop-off, as compared to an expected 10 percent drop-off. Though officials have been trying to mitigate the die off, experts say it's not working. "We have a trial survey that conducts sampling in Long Island Sound that’s continued to show further decline or depletion of the population," Fisheries biologist Mark Alexander told CBS 2. "There are no signs of recovery there."
Now, the Long Island Sound's about to get its second annual lobster fishing moratorium. Starting September 8th, lobster fishing in harvesting areas will be prohibited for three months, in hopes of giving lobsters time to make lots and lots of little future lobster mac and cheese ingredients.
And if this scary lobster die off isn't enough to make you thing twice about chowing down on crustaceans, note that scientists say crabs, shrimp and lobsters can indeed feel pain while being boiled alive, no matter what René Descartes says.
Tagged
lobster
lobster roll
lobsters
long island sound
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .