Potential connectivity among American lobster fisheries as a result of larval drift across the species’ range in eastern North America

We used a bio-physical model to estimate for the first time the effect of larval drift on potential connectivity among American lobster (Homarus americanus) fisheries management areas over the geographic range of the species. The model predicted drift of larvae over distances of 50-805 km (mean = 129 km), which connected many management areas and caused marked spatial heterogeneity in retention and self-seeding versus export and import of larvae by different fisheries areas. Including mortality functions in the model resulted in less drift and settlement, and had complex effects on the amount, but not the incidence, of potential connectivity among fisheries. The model’s predictions received support from comparison of predicted settlement to landings six or seven years later in some (but not all) parts of the model domain. Although improvements are still needed to capture larval behaviours and spatial variability in larval release and mortality across the species’ range, this information is important to lobster fisheries management because the amount and direction of connectivity between fisheries can inform cooperative management strategies to sustain interconnected fisheries.

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Potential connectivity among American lobster fisheries as a result of larval drift across the species’ range in eastern North America

10.7287/peerj.preprints.2464v3 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Brady K. Quinn ◽

Joël Chassé ◽

Rémy Rochette

Keyword(s):

Fisheries Management ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Homarus Americanus ◽

Geographic Range ◽

Species Range ◽

Eastern North America ◽

American Lobster ◽

Larval Release ◽

Larval Drift ◽

First Time

We used a bio-physical model to estimate for the first time the effect of larval drift on potential connectivity among American lobster (Homarus americanus) fisheries management areas over the geographic range of the species. The model predicted drift of larvae over distances of 50-805 km (mean = 129 km), which connected many management areas and caused marked spatial heterogeneity in retention and self-seeding versus export and import of larvae by different fisheries areas. Including mortality functions in the model resulted in less drift and settlement, and had complex effects on the amount, but not the incidence, of potential connectivity among fisheries. The model’s predictions received support from comparison of predicted settlement to landings six or seven years later in some (but not all) parts of the model domain. Although improvements are still needed to capture larval behaviours and spatial variability in larval release and mortality across the species’ range, this information is important to lobster fisheries management because the amount and direction of connectivity between fisheries can inform cooperative management strategies to sustain interconnected fisheries.

Download Full-text

Potential connectivity among American lobster fisheries as a result of larval drift across the species’ range in eastern North America

10.7287/peerj.preprints.2464 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Brady K. Quinn ◽

Joël Chassé ◽

Rémy Rochette

Keyword(s):

Fisheries Management ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Homarus Americanus ◽

Geographic Range ◽

Species Range ◽

Eastern North America ◽

American Lobster ◽

Larval Release ◽

Larval Drift ◽

First Time

We used a bio-physical model to estimate for the first time the effect of larval drift on potential connectivity among American lobster (Homarus americanus) fisheries management areas over the geographic range of the species. The model predicted drift of larvae over distances of 50-805 km (mean = 129 km), which connected many management areas and caused marked spatial heterogeneity in retention and self-seeding versus export and import of larvae by different fisheries areas. Including mortality functions in the model resulted in less drift and settlement, and had complex effects on the amount, but not the incidence, of potential connectivity among fisheries. The model’s predictions received support from comparison of predicted settlement to landings six or seven years later in some (but not all) parts of the model domain. Although improvements are still needed to capture larval behaviours and spatial variability in larval release and mortality across the species’ range, this information is important to lobster fisheries management because the amount and direction of connectivity between fisheries can inform cooperative management strategies to sustain interconnected fisheries.

Download Full-text

Potential connectivity among American lobster fisheries as a result of larval drift across the species’ range in eastern North America

10.7287/peerj.preprints.2464v1 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Brady K. Quinn ◽

Joël Chassé ◽

Rémy Rochette

Keyword(s):

Fisheries Management ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Homarus Americanus ◽

Species Range ◽

Eastern North America ◽

American Lobster ◽

Larval Release ◽

Larval Drift ◽

Import And Export ◽

First Time

We used a bio-physical model to estimate for the first time the effect of larval drift on potential connectivity among American lobster (Homarus americanus) fisheries management areas over the geographic range of the species. The model predicted drift of larvae over distances of 50-805 km (mean = 129 km), which connected many management areas and caused marked spatial heterogeneity in retention and self-seeding versus import and export of larvae by different fisheries areas. Including mortality functions in the model resulted in less drift and settlement, and had complex effects on the amount, but not on the incidence, of connectivity among fisheries. The model’s predictions received support from comparison of predicted settlement to landings six or seven years later in some (but not all) parts of the model domain, although improvements are needed to capture spatial variability in larval release and drift across the species’ range. This information is important to lobster fisheries management, as the amount and direction of connectivity between fisheries can inform cooperative management strategies to sustain interconnected fisheries.

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Observations on Hatching and Larval Release in the Lobster Homarus americanus

Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada ◽

10.1139/f75-260 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 32 (11) ◽

pp. 2210-2213 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

G. P. Ennis

Keyword(s):

Homarus Americanus ◽

American Lobster ◽

Larval Release

In the American lobster (Homarus americanus) larval release occurs most frequently at night, usually shortly after darkness, but batches of larvae are often released at different times throughout the day as well. The rapid beating of the pleopods by the female, which is necessary for larval release, usually lasts less than 1 min and is sometimes performed without any larvae emerging. The outer egg membranes of those eggs from which larvae will be released at any one time become broken open (hatch) throughout the period following the previous larval release, which means that some prelarvae are ready for liberation for periods up to 24 h prior to being released.

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Recorded captures of American lobster (Homarus americanus) in Swedish waters and an observation of predation on the European lobster (Homarus gammarus)

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/cjfas-2016-0532 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 74 (10) ◽

pp. 1503-1506 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Vidar Øresland ◽

Mats Ulmestrand ◽

Ann-Lisbeth Agnalt ◽

Gert Oxby

Keyword(s):

Native Species ◽

Homarus Americanus ◽

American Lobster ◽

Swedish West Coast ◽

Marine Research ◽

European Lobster ◽

Homarus Gammarus ◽

Genetic Sampling ◽

Identification Measurements ◽

First Time

The intentional or unintentional release of American lobsters (Homarus americanus), imported through the European seafood trade, has resulted in findings of H. americanus in European waters. A total of 36 specimens was recorded within a smaller area, halfway along the Swedish west coast, between 2008 and 2016. The lobsters were caught by both recreational and professional fishermen and delivered to the Institute of Marine Research in Lysekil, where species identification, measurements, and genetic sampling were performed. Twenty-five of these lobsters were caught inside the sill of the Gullmar Fjord, most of them close to Lysekil harbor, where escapes from an illegal holding is suspected. Six females had eggs, which in two cases were hybrids. While there is no evidence to suggest that a population has been established in the Gullmar Fjord or elsewhere in Swedish waters, serious concerns must be raised regarding the possible consequences for the native species. An American lobster has for the first time been filmed eating a killed European lobster (Homarus gammarus) in Swedish waters.

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Growth of juvenile American lobster Homarus americanus in a changing environment

Marine Ecology Progress Series ◽

10.3354/meps11854 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 557 ◽

pp. 177-187 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

MD McMahan ◽

DF Cowan ◽

Y Chen ◽

GD Sherwood ◽

JH Grabowski

Keyword(s):

Homarus Americanus ◽

American Lobster ◽

Changing Environment

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Predicting bycatch hotspots based on suitable habitat derived from fishery-independent data

Marine Ecology Progress Series ◽

10.3354/meps13302 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 641 ◽

pp. 159-175

Author(s):

J Runnebaum ◽

KR Tanaka ◽

L Guan ◽

J Cao ◽

L O’Brien ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Habitat Suitability ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

Gulf Of Maine ◽

Homarus Americanus ◽

Management Tool ◽

American Lobster ◽

Suitable Habitat ◽

Climate Conditions ◽

Suitability Index

Bycatch remains a global problem in managing sustainable fisheries. A critical aspect of management is understanding the timing and spatial extent of bycatch. Fisheries management often relies on observed bycatch data, which are not always available due to a lack of reporting or observer coverage. Alternatively, analyzing the overlap in suitable habitat for the target and non-target species can provide a spatial management tool to understand where bycatch interactions are likely to occur. Potential bycatch hotspots based on suitable habitat were predicted for cusk Brosme brosme incidentally caught in the Gulf of Maine American lobster Homarus americanus fishery. Data from multiple fisheries-independent surveys were combined in a delta-generalized linear mixed model to generate spatially explicit density estimates for use in an independent habitat suitability index. The habitat suitability indices for American lobster and cusk were then compared to predict potential bycatch hotspot locations. Suitable habitat for American lobster has increased between 1980 and 2013 while suitable habitat for cusk decreased throughout most of the Gulf of Maine, except for Georges Basin and the Great South Channel. The proportion of overlap in suitable habitat varied interannually but decreased slightly in the spring and remained relatively stable in the fall over the time series. As Gulf of Maine temperatures continue to increase, the interactions between American lobster and cusk are predicted to decline as cusk habitat continues to constrict. This framework can contribute to fisheries managers’ understanding of changes in habitat overlap as climate conditions continue to change and alter where bycatch interactions could occur.

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