Shrinking Lobster Catch

By Caroline Rodriguez

WRNI news – In the last few years Rhode Island's lobster population has shriveled to new lows tossing the fishing community into economic disarray. Local lobstermen are working twice as hard, taking more risks for less product and a lot less money. Lobstermen point to poor water quality and the 1996 North cape oil spill but scientist say the cause of the decline is a mystery. The problem is compounded by the spread of a shell disease that is running rampant in the remaining lobster population.