Letter to Mr. Daniel Calleja Crespo, Director General-DG Environment, European Commission - Urge European Union to Reject Proposed Lobster Ban

Letter

We write to express significant concerns with the Swedish government's proposal to list Homarus americanus (American lobster) as an invasive alien species, effectively prohibiting importation of live lobster to the European Union.

Earlier this month, the United States and Canada jointly submitted a response to Sweden's risk assessment, compiled by scientists with collective decades spent studying the species. We support their determination that, though a small number of American lobsters may have been found in European waters, there is no current scientific basis to suggest that they can survive in sufficient numbers to pose a legitimate threat to the native Homarus gammarus (European lobster).

We represent parts of coastal New England, a region with strong cultural and economic ties to the American lobster. We recognize the importance of sound fisheries management, and as such, have the utmost respect for the EU's desire to develop environmental policy based on rigorous scientific analysis. In this case, the existing evidence does not support the listing of the American lobster as an invasive alien species.

Thank you for your consideration of the joint United States-Canadian response to Sweden's proposal. We hope that this issue can be resolved quickly.