French's study estimates some 14 million lobsters of all ages were killed. Morin said yesterday that in response to objections from Eklof, he believes French will amend her estimate to about 10 million. The consultants, URI scientists Stanley Cobb and Michael Clancy, stressed that their study, like the others, included lobsters of all sizes, not just adults. Another lobster study, by DEM biologist Mark Gibson, concluded that 2.9 million lobsters washed up on the beaches. Using a complicated formula accounting for the constant die-off of juveniles as they grow towards adulthood, Gibson figured the 2.9 million lobsters of all ages were the equivalent of a half million adults.
Reports are mixed on the consequences of losing so many lobsters.
Bob Smith, president of the Rhode Island Lobstermen's Association, said this week that many fishermen are still finding fewer lobsters in the area affected by the spill. Preliminary talks have been held on restoration efforts, Morin said. He believes it's already clear that building a reef to help bring back lobsters is unworkable. It would take a huge reef to bring back 10 million or 12 million lobsters, Morin said. Similarly, it would take a massive hatchery to bring back so many lobsters.