The V-Notch Program has received $1 million in financing from the state of Connecticut. The funding will help give a part-time salary to participating students from aquaculture schools in Bridgeport, New Haven, and New London, and the rest of the money will be used to compensate the lobstermen.
John Roy of the Sound School of New Haven said that one year ago, the Connecticut Lobster Association announced it was looking for students to participate in the program.
"We thought it was a wonderful opportunity for the kids to get hands on experience," Roy said.
The program was scheduled to begin last November, but experienced delays because of complications with insurance requirements.
The V-Notch Program is intended to increase the number of egg-bearing female lobsters in Long Island Sound. Notching the lobster means punching a V-shaped hole in their tail before returning it to the water.
New Program Aims to Replenish Lobster Population in Long Island Sound
LONG ISLAND SOUND - Last Friday, Darien Seafood owners Roger Frate and his son, Roger Jr., took their lobster boat out on Long Island Sound to pull up their traps. But this time, instead of bringing lobsters to shore, the Frates were putting them back in Long Island Sound. It was part of a new program that aims to protect lobsters and increase revenues for lobstermen.