Fishing regulators on Friday scrapped a plan for stricter fishing rules amid concerns about a decline in baby lobsters in the warming waters off New England. The regulators were looking to institute a new rule that fishermen need to abide by a larger minimum size for the lobsters they trap.

Dozens of lobstermen voiced their concerns during a public hearing about the proposed rule change, which would have increased the minimum catch size from 3 1/4 inches to 3 5/16 inches.

Lobster harvesters and dealers said the change would have eliminated the most lucrative segment of their catch.

Lobster harvesters and dealers said the proposed change would have eliminated the most lucrative segment of their catch.