US and Canadian Lobstermen Improving our Understanding of the Lobster Resource:  US/Canada Recruitment Project Update (Ventless Traps)

 

     Attendees learned more about this unique collaboration between lobstermen from the US and Canada.  Both FSRS and GOMLF provided an update on the progress made with the Action Plan developed last winter at their joint meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  The FSRS provided an overview of their 5 Year Project Review and DFO discussed the use of this recruitment project data in developing exploitation rates and explained how this data is used in the Canadian stock assessment.

Maine Dept of Marine Resources (DMR) Lobster Science Updates

     DMR scientists provided an overview of results of Maine’s sea sampling, port sampling and trawl surveys and discussed what these data tell us about the lobster resource.

Using Oceanography to Understand the Gulf of Maine Lobster Resource

     Attendees learned more about the exciting NOAA synthesis study which grew out of the work done in the Penobscot Bay area to better understand how oceanography affects lobster larval transport.  This is a major scientific effort in Maine involving most of our top lobster scientists.  They also learned about a complimentary study which endeavors to validate numerical ocean circulation models with lobstermen-deployed drifters.  These drifters will be deployed from June-September 2004 in transects off of Cutler, Isle of Haut, Cape Small, and Gloucester, MA resulting in as many as 100 drifters floating off the coast of New England this summer. 

Lobster Shell Disease

     New England’s lobster health and shell disease experts provided an overview of initial observations of shell disease in the region, what they've observed in Maine, an overview of the pathology of the disease in Maine and what it all means for lobster health. 

What’s New with Whale Regulations

     Attendees learned what’s in store for lobstermen with respect to whale regulations and found out what the DMR had learned from the extensive underwater video study (ROV) conducted last fall.

Developing and Testing a New Stock Assessment Framework for the American Lobster in the Gulf of Maine

     Attendees learned about a NEW lobster model in the works?  What it is?  How it works?  And most importantly, what it means for future lobster stock assessment and management?

Universal Maximum Gauge

     What are the biological reasons for having an oversize measure?  How does it benefit the resource?  How is it quantified in lobster models for stock assessment?  With these questions answered, the industry discussed the pro’s and con’s of establishing a universal oversize measure in the Gulf of Maine region. 

Disaster Planning – What would the lobster industry do if…

     What would happen to the lobster industry IF we experienced a disaster?  How would we respond?  The sky may not be falling yet, but there are plenty of realistic scenarios such as shell disease, a landings collapse, or even a mere reduction in landings.  We don’t have to look too far to the south.  How does/can management respond to unexpected crises?  Is there anything the lobster industry can do to prepare for a disaster?  Can we better monitor the situation through harvester landings reports? 

Stories of Success to Think About

     Attendees learned more about work undertaken by lobstermen in Newfoundland to establish a protected area as a method to conserve the lobster resource.