R.I. Lobstermen Concerned About Pesticide Use

Rhode Island lobstermen say a mosquito pesticide is ending up in Narragansett Bay, posing a threat to their livelihoods.

They say methoprene is killing lobster larvae and preventing adult lobsters from molting. Patrick Heaney of Newport, R.I., told the Newport Daily News that lobstermen are seeing more lobsters with physical problems.

However, there's no scientific consensus on the issue. A 2007 study found methoprene has no adverse ecological impacts, but a 2005 study says it interrupts lobster molting.

Alan Gettman of the state Department of Environmental Management said there's no evidence that methoprene pellets placed in catch basins have any effect on lobsters. He added that only minute amounts of methoprene make it into the bay.