The president of the Prince County Fishermen’s Association urged any members of his organization who use "doubtful boxes" to discontinue the practice.
Lee Knox told members attending the organization’s recent annual meeting that he has seen the harm the illegal practice causes. Some fishermen have used “doubtful boxes” so that they can set aside lobsters that appear close to the minimum legal size, or are on the bubble between canner and market, so that they can go back and measure them after a bunch of traps has been fished. It results in extra handling of the catch.
“We’re pushing (the Department of Fisheries and Oceans) to lay some charges to get this to stop,” he reported. “It’s unreal, when you start watching it, how many horns are gone, how many damaged lobsters are right next to the measure – the ones that are being handled the most,” he noted.
Fisheries officer Anthony Cheverie said three charges were laid last year for use of "doubtful" boxes
