From March 8, 2001
Massachusetts Agrees
to Study the Effects of Methoprene on Lobsters
According to the Associated Press (AP), a subcommittee of the Massachusetts Pesticide Board voted to study the effects of methoprene, a synthetic larvicide used to control mosquitoes and other biting insects, on lobsters and other local aquatic life. If the study proves that lobster populations are affected, the state could restrict the use of the pesticide.
The story reported that the pesticide board agreed to the study at the request of a Scituate, Massachusetts couple who worried methoprene might hurt aquatic life in the pond near their home. Due to methoprene's affects on frogs and the role it may have played in a massive lobster die-off in Long Island Sound, Massachusetts thought that the chemical was worth looking into, pesticide bureau chief Brad Mitchell told the AP. Connecticut is also conducting a study to examine the role of pesticides in their lobster kill.
In August 2000, Connecticut
lobstermen filed suit against pesticide manufacturers, that sold products
to New York and Connecticut control mosquitoes that carry the West Nile
virus. Gladstone Jones, attorney for the Connecticut lobstermen contends
that the pesticide manufacturers knew their products could harm crustaceans,
which are biologically similar to insects.