Lobster pot fishing raises welfare concerns about capture stress, holding time, and the welfare of lobsters and bycatch species trapped in pots.
Lobster pot fishing creates welfare concerns across multiple species. Lobsters held in traps experience confinement, potential predation from larger conspecifics or bycatch species, starvation, and hypoxia if pots are not checked frequently. The welfare of undersized lobsters returned after days in traps is compromised even when released alive. Bycatch species including small fish face poor welfare outcomes from capture stress and inadequate return methods. Lost ghost pots continue trapping animals indefinitely until they biodegrade - representing a persistent welfare source.