Citing risk to endangered whales, Whole Foods hits pause on Maine lobster — for now

Maine is the largest lobster-producing state in the U.S. Some of the gear used to catch the crustaceans poses an entanglement risk to the endangered North American right whale population. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Whole Foods will temporarily stop buying Maine lobster for its stores nationwide in a move that's drawing praise from environmentalists and anger from local politicians and industry.

The grocery chain made the decision in response to warnings from the two separate seafood-monitoring groups it relies on to certify the sustainability of its products. Both groups had downgraded Maine lobster in recent months, citing concerns about the impact of certain fishing practices on the endangered North Atlantic right whale.