The Salem News - Moulton: Sweden's Lobster Science Flawed

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By Sean Horgan

Sweden's response to a highly critical analysis of its rationale for banning the export of American lobsters to the European Union still falls far short of a credible scientific standard, Congressman Seth Moulton said Friday.

"The science they are citing is flawed," Moulton said following a congressional briefing by NOAA Fisheries on the international contretemps. "They've done nothing to back up their data. And if they can't back up their data, then there's something else going on."

In March, Sweden petitioned the remainder of the European Union to list American lobsters as an invasive species, claiming the increased presence of the American crustaceans in Swedish waters during the past three decades is imperiling its indigenous lobsters.

If successful, the invasive species listing would lead to a ban on U.S. and Canadian live lobster exports to Sweden and the rest of the 28-member European Union. The U.S. exports about $150 million worth of live lobsters to the EU each year -- the vast majority landed in Maine and Massachusetts, where Gloucester is the top port -- while Canada exports about $75 million.

The Swedish risk assessment, which cites the adverse potential of disease and cross-breeding between the indigenous lobsters and their American cousins across the pond, was like a starting pistol, spurring both U.S. and Canadian governmental agencies, trade officials and lobster stakeholders into action.

In June, led by NOAA, the two North American countries sent a scathing rebuttal, stating unequivocally that the science used in developing the Swedish risk assessment did not rise to the level necessary to brand the American lobster as an invasive species.

That put the ball back in the EU's court, where a forum of EU scientists gave Sweden until July 31 to address the criticisms in the U.S-Canadian rebuttal.

The response has not been made public, but those familiar with its essence, such as Moulton and Massachusetts Lobstermen's Association Executive Director Beth Casoni, said the Swedes did little to reaffirm the quality of their scientific data or address the U.S.-Canadian criticisms of their methodology and conclusions.

"They basically said our rebuttal is nothing more than speculation and they were moving forward with their petition," Casoni said.

Casoni and other lobster stakeholders participated Wednesday in a conference call with officials from NOAA Fisheries Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection to begin crafting a response to Sweden.

Moulton said he believes the pressure brought to bear by the Massachusetts and Maine congressional delegations, as well as from Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, has been effective. He said they will continue to make the case against listing the Homarus americanus as an invasive species.

"We're just going to keep working, getting even more data and building our case through the science," Moulton said. "We're certainly under some time pressure here, so we're staying on top of it."

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