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reddittheguy t1_ixzy1s6 wrote

Reply to comment by Grand_Response6068 in NOAA be like by TheDeadPlant

I wonder if/how much availability is also driving demand. Like, you drive by certain places in Maine and there are lobster shacks all over the place, if lobstering fails and those places shutter up, how much of that demand was being inflated by availability?

Is your average American really going to miss it like most people might miss beef or chicken? Or is it just something propped up by availability in touristy areas?

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MaineJackalope t1_iy079i6 wrote

I think the Right Whales issue is going to damage the industry heavily but I'm optimistic that it can rebound. Though likely still at reduced levels

The thing with the whales is vertical lines that snare them up (allegedly) but if and when people are pushed to it, I bet they can find alternatives to static vertical trap lines.

Did a lot of youth robotics stuff and I see two viable options just off the top of my head, either traps that can stow then release a buoy from the sea floor on a timer, so the lines are only present while the lobstering boats are out collecting, and lineless traps that rely on a RC submersible to hook them up to a tow line so the boats can haul them in.

Both would be costly modifications to make though, but the means of surviving are still there if the Fed and lobstermen can come to an agreement on new practices.

I also kinda like the idea of a coast town having a mom and pop robotics shop to sell and maintain it all.

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Grand_Response6068 t1_iy0ddly wrote

It'll probably be both... i know some people that LOVE lobster and some people dont. but can you imagine all the lobstering towns? even portland places like that could die out

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Grand_Response6068 t1_iy0dlys wrote

it almost feels like a west virginia type situation if they do go out of business, the coal mines closed and west virginia towns and the state in general died off

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