Sweden is not backing down on ‘invasive species’ ban of Canada-U.S. lobster

10-lobsters1Sweden is not backing away from its campaign to ban the import of live lobsters into the European Union  arguing a “precautionary approach” justifies its claim that the presence of North American lobsters in European waters constitutes an invasive species risk. In late July, the Swedish agency issued its rebuttal to Canadian and U.S. scientists who have dismissed its risk assessment as unscientific, unjustified and in one instance “absurd.” “Prevention is generally more environmentally desirable and cost-effective than reaction after the fact,” the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management said in its July 29 response. Sweden says 32 American lobsters were captured in its waters between 2008 and 2015. Between 1999 and 2015, 29 were captured off the coast of Norway, including two females carrying hybrid eggs. In Britain, 26 lobsters were caught between 1988 and 2011. In 2015, 361 live American lobsters were released off Britain as the result of Buddhist faith based acts, 133 have been recaptured, according to the Swedes. Read the rest here 10:10

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