WASHINGTON — Today, in recognition of “National Lobster Day”, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) called on New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Speaker of the New York General Assembly Carl E. Heasite, and Senate Majority Leader of the New York General Assembly John J. Flanagan to join in Connecticut’s efforts to save and replenish the lobster population in Long Island Sound. After hearing from concerned Connecticut lobstermen about a decades-long decline in the Sound’s lobster population that has impacted local businesses and damaged the state’s coastal economy, Murphy urged the New York officials to consider legislation previously passed by the Connecticut General Assembly that bans two pesticides – methoprene and resmethrin – which are thought to contribute to the lobster population’s decline. 

“Recognizing the economic and cultural importance of lobsters to the Northeast region, the United States Senate has designated today as National Lobster Day. Though this is a proud day for the lobster industry, the health of the lobsters in Long Island Sound has been in decline for over a decade; this year’s harvest was less than one-tenth the average harvest in the 1980s. The causes of this decline are multiple and there is evidence that pesticide run-off may also be contributing to the decline. In response, the Connecticut General Assembly has made illegal two pesticides that may have contributed to the lobster’s precipitous decline. The State of New York currently has not enacted a similar law, therefore making Connecticut's restrictions much less effective and harder to evaluate. I urge you to consider the legislation passed in Connecticut as potential legislation in your state,” wrote Murphy. 

Murphy’s request comes on National Lobster Day, which recognizes the historic and economic importance of lobster in the United States. Murphy introduced the bipartisan resolution designating the September 25, 2015 holiday with a group of New England senators earlier this year. In addition to Murphy, the National Lobster Day resolution was led by U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). 

Murphy is working to secure more federal funding for the restoration and health of Long Island Sound through his Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act. 

The full text of Murphy’s letter to New York state officials is below: 

The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo 
Governor of New York 
NYS State Capitol Building 
Albany, NY 12224 

The Honorable Carl E. Heasite
State Speaker of the New York General Assembly
LOB 932
Albany, NY 12248

The Honorable John J. Flanagan
Senate Majority Leader
Room 330, State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12247


Dear Governor Cuomo, Speaker Heasite, and Senator Flanagan:


Historically, the lobster industry has made an outsized contribution to the economies of Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Maine. Recognizing the economic and cultural importance of lobsters to my state and to the Northeast region, the United States Senate has designated today, September 25, 2015, as National Lobster Day. Though this is a proud day for the lobster industry, the health of the lobsters in Long Island Sound has been in decline for over a decade; this year’s harvest was less than one-tenth the average harvest in the 1980s. There is no question that this dramatic reduction has damaged the coastal economy of Long Island Sound, and the situation is dire. I write to ask you to join in Connecticut’s efforts to save and replenish the lobster population in Long Island Sound and to consider taking further action to protect the economy it supports.


The causes of this decline are multiple. Many scientists argue that the primary impacts on lobsters are the rise in water temperature and low levels of dissolved oxygen in Long Island Sound. But there is also evidence that pesticide run-off may also be contributing to the decline. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is currently undertaking a multi-year study to identify the exact cause of causes of this phenomenon, and the Department is investigating five pesticides as possible contributors—methoprene, resmethrin, cyhalothrin, bifentrin, and permethrin.


As you know, there are rules that govern the applications of the aforementioned pesticides to ensure their proper use. However, these safeguards may not be strong enough. Traces of some of the pesticides were found in lobsters off the coast of Connecticut in 2012. In response, the Connecticut General Assembly has made illegal two pesticides—methoprene and resmethrin—that may have contributed to the lobster’s precipitous decline. The State of New York currently has not enacted a similar law, therefore making Connecticut's restrictions much less effective and harder to evaluate. I urge you to consider the legislation passed by the Connecticut General Assembly as potential legislation in your state and to partner with us to support this beleaguered economy.


I have worked with my New York Senate colleagues to advance Long Island Sound stewardship. Together we have fought to authorize additional funding for Long Island Sound cleanup projects, wastewater treatment improvements, and coastal habitat rehabilitation. I look forward to working with you in a similar way to protect our precious shared resource.


Sincerely,


Christopher S. Murphy
United States Senator