Is climate change putting the lobster roll in jeopardy?

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC • July 24, 2024

Since the early 1980s, Maine lobstermen have experienced a climate-driven lobster boom. That’s because climate change has been warming the Gulf of Maine more than three times faster than 99 percent of the ocean. Warmer waters initially meant more lobster, but by 2050 conditions may become challenging for lobsters to survive in. Since a 2012 marine heatwave, the deep-water temperatures have been about 3°F warmer than average, but this year, temperatures are back to levels not seen since before 2011. But it’s still hard to say if this year’s cooler waters will benefit Maine’s lobsters, particularly if the warming trend continues in future years.