The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is conducting a study to find out why lobster populations in the Long Island Sound are dropping.

Experts say populations have been shrinking for more than 15 years. Officials say that lobstermen used to catch 1,000 pounds of lobster a day, but lately one would be lucky to catch 100 pounds of lobster a day.

DEEP officials suspect that pesticides used to kill mosquito larvae may be to blame. Legislation was introduced during the 2012 session to restrict the use of the pesticide methoprene, but it did not come to a vote in the state Senate.

Higher water temperatures could also be to blame, officials say.

Long Island Sound's Soundkeeper Terry Backer notes that it is still safe to eat lobsters caught in the Sound. However, seafood eaters are advised not to eat the tomalley, the soft, greenish substance that functions as a lobster's liver and pancreas.