Reward offered in N.B. lobster poisoning

N.B. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information about the poisoning of Bay of Fundy lobsters.

Fishermen in Seal Cove and Deer Island reported catches of paralyzed and dead lobsters in November.

Tests found the crustaceans had been exposed to cypermethrin a pesticide normally used in agriculture or household pest control, according to the Journal of Pesticide Reform.

Environment Canada investigated, but couldn't find out how the chemical got into the water.

Crime Stoppers is now offering a reward, sincecypermethrin isillegal to use in water.

"It would be very helpful to have charges laid and even a conviction, but I think all the attention brought to this issue is a real deterrent for anyone to use an illegal chemical again," said Maria Recchia of the Fundy North Fisherman's Association.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $500 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for putting the cypermethrin into the water.

Anyone with information can phone 1-800-222-TIPS.