HALIFAX — Federal researchers are studying ways to boost falling lobster populations in the Maritimes as climate change and other issues in recent years have put pressure on catches. It considers shifting fishing seasons to earlier in the year, more protection for egg-bearing females and adjustments to the minimum and maximum sizes, among other changes. Along with human fishing, lobsters are also impacted by changes in the ecosystem such as the state of plankton and predators in their area. Lobster fishing seasons are staggered at different times of the year across the Maritimes. “None of the changes you put in place are going to instantaneously help your stock, they’re all going to take a bit of time,” said Cook.