Dead lobsters in Sound stir baymens' fears of die-off

Reports of dead lobsters in central Long Island Sound have prompted state environmental officials to investigate what some baymen fear could be another lobster die-off.

In recent days a handful of baymen have reported dead lobsters in traps placed in deep waters of the Sound off Northport and Huntington, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Connecticut regulators have gotten similar reports, said James Gilmore, the DEC's marine resources bureau chief.

"The lobsters are dead in the traps again," said bayman Daniel Staffieri of Smithtown, who said he first noticed it last month. "If this happens again, I'm going to be done."

Long Island's lobster fishery was devastated in 1999 by a massive die-off. Only a few dozen baymen still work lobster pots on the New York side of the Sound. Many fishermen - Staffieri included - blame the event on pesticides that were sprayed that year to halt the spread of West Nile virus.

Scientists eventually concluded that the population crashed because lobsters were stressed by warmer water temperatures that made them susceptible to disease. Since then, there have been a handful of smaller die-offs in Long Island Sound, DEC officials said.

John German of the Long Island Sound Lobstermen's Association said such events are not unusual off Northport this time of year. Still, he plans to discuss it with members when the association meets next week.

Officials said it's too early to tell how serious the problem may be this time around, in part because not many fishermen pursue lobsters this time of year. "Only the ones that pull their gear regularly are seeing the stuff," said DEC crustacean biologist John Maniscalco.

Next week the DEC will begin analyzing lobsters harvested in the deeper waters off Northport. Scientists will check the bodies for pathogens and signs of environmental or physiological stress; tissue samples will also be preserved so researchers can test for pesticide contamination. To report dead lobsters, call the DEC at 631-444-0430.