Harvesting capability 
Currently there is excess harvesting capacity in the 
inshore fishery. Landings in this fishery have generally 
declined even though there has been a large increase in the 
number of fishermen, boats, and pots. Accordingly, although 
the type of gear is efficient, the overall harvest is not 
very efficient. Biologists estimated that the MSY for the 
inshore fishery from Maine through North Carolina could be 
taken with about 1 million pots. In 1975 preliminary data 
indicates that there were 2 million pots in the fishery, or 
double the capacity needed. Due to the displacement of U.S. 
fishermen from Bahamian waters, the spiny lobster fishery 
also has excess harvesting capacity. 
Product development and processing 
Some additional American lobster products have been 
tried, such as boiled lobster frozen whole, but processors 
expect the bulk of the lobster catch to continue to be sold 
in the most demanded form, live or cooked just prior to 
sale. Lobster processors stated that major improvements to 
existing processing techniques are not needed. Future im- 
provements in processing or product development for spiny 
lobster are not currently needed. 
Marketing potential 
Demand is considered strong and market prices have 
steadily increased for the American lobster. Increased 
supplies can be absorbed into existing domestic markets. 
The market potential for the spiny lobster also appears 
healthy, with demand growing steadily and market prices 
increasing substantially. The future demand is estimated 
to be greater than the foreseeable future supply potential. 
OBSTACLES INHIBITING GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT 
Resource availability and management control 
Improved resource availability is dependent on the im- 
plementation of an effective management program. Except for 
prohibiting the possession of egg-bearing lobsters, which 
all States adopted, implementation of the lobster management 
plan has been slow. This has been due to difficulties, 
anticipated or encountered by State administrators, in ob- 
taining acceptance of the proposed regulations by fishermen 
and/or State legislatures, lack of data, and reconsideration 
of the need for certain regulations in some States. 
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