YARMOUTH, Nova Scotia – A scientific study will be conducted this summer on lobster stocks in southwestern Nova Scotia.

Many fishermen in the area have reported spring catches of several soft-shelled lobster containing little meat. It has resulted in a poor product being shipped to international markets.

Denny Morrow of the Nova Scotia Fish Packers Association said Wednesday that this type of research is long overdue.

The industry and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans will participate in the project, examining lobster at its moult stage. Researchers will also monitor things like blood protein levels and water temperatures.

Next year they will examine the stomach contents of lobsters to better understand their diet.