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Learning About Lobsters!

Ocean Technology Foundation. Learning About Lobsters!. Jenna Carlson Education and Outreach Coordinator. Long Island Sound Educator’s Conference March 31, 2006 The Maritime Aquarium Norwalk, CT.

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Learning About Lobsters!

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  1. Ocean Technology Foundation Learning About Lobsters! Jenna CarlsonEducation and Outreach Coordinator Long Island Sound Educator’s Conference March 31, 2006 The Maritime Aquarium Norwalk, CT

  2. Fostering excellence in ocean exploration, marine research and education, and promoting commercial development, all with an emphasis on undersea activities. Ocean Technology Foundation

  3. North Cape Lobster Restoration Program Outline • Introduction • Lobsters in Long Island Sound • North Cape Lobster Restoration Program • Example Lobster Activity Ocean Technology Foundation

  4. Lobster Biology • American Lobster Homarus americanus • Phylum Arthropoda Class Crustacea • Range from Canada to North Carolina • Rocky and sandy substrates • Solitary, nocturnal and territorial • Legal size lobsters 5-7 years old Ocean Technology Foundation

  5. Lobsters in Long Island Sound • Die-off 1999 Recent Mortalities • Diseases – Western LIS Sound • Shell Disease – Eastern LIS Sound Ocean Technology Foundation

  6. Lobster Fishery • Lobsters harvested in LIS since colonial times • 1999 lobster die-off impacted 1,300 lobstermen • 100% decrease lobster landings Ocean Technology Foundation

  7. North Cape Lobster Restoration Program • Oil Spill 1996 Moonstone Beach, RI • North Cape • 9 million lobsters killed • Insurance Company + State government = settlement to restore lobsters and wildlife • OTF chosen for restoration efforts • Restocking 1.25 million female lobsters over 5 yrs. Ocean Technology Foundation

  8. Who’s involved? • Ocean Technology Foundation • Project Managers and Scientists • Boat Observers • Local RI and MA Lobstermen • Insurance Company • National Marine Fisheries Service Ocean Technology Foundation

  9. Restocking the FemalesRI and MA • Females caught onboard commercial vessels, checked, v-notched and released • V-notch protects lobsters from harvest • Concept: V-notched harvest protected lobster is a future egger Ocean Technology Foundation

  10. The V-notch Eligibility for V-notching • No shell disease • No “bullets” (lobsters with no claws) • Hard shell • Female • Legal Size • No eggs • If she meets all the requirements a V-notch is placed in her right uropod (flipper) and she is thrown back V-notch in right uropod Ocean Technology Foundation

  11. V-notching at Sea • Female Lobster is notched • Chad (small piece of uropod) is saved • Recorded on trip report and thrown back • Lobstermen receive credit for each lobster notched and returned Ocean Technology Foundation

  12. The Results Ocean Technology Foundation

  13. Results 2005 • Over 400,000 female lobsters notched 2006 • Approx. 43,000 more to reach goal • Studies show that 40-50% of V-notched lobsters recaptured are observed with eggs Ocean Technology Foundation

  14. Learning About Lobsters! Hands-on Activity Students study.. • Lobster Biology and Ecology • Lobsters in LIS • Lobster Fishery in LIS Activity can be easily adapted to all levels of students Ocean Technology Foundation

  15. Example Activity Ocean Technology Foundation

  16. FemaleorMale? Ocean Technology Foundation

  17. Ocean Technology Foundation

  18. Coloration Ocean Technology Foundation

  19. Eggs Ocean Technology Foundation

  20. Legal Size • In Connecticut legal size is 3 ¼ inches • (eye socket to the end carapace) Ocean Technology Foundation

  21. Legal Size • In Connecticut minimum size is 3 9/32 inches (eye socket to the end carapace) Ocean Technology Foundation

  22. Total Length Ocean Technology Foundation

  23. Are you right or left handed? Depends on the Crusher claw This lobster is left-handed! Ocean Technology Foundation

  24. Walking Appendages Total Number = 8 Ocean Technology Foundation

  25. Antennae Measure the length in inches Ocean Technology Foundation

  26. Shell Disease 0-10% = 1 11-50% = 2 50-100% = 3 No Shell Disease = 0 Caused by bacteria that attaches to the lobster shell and begins to penetrate inward This Lobster is a 3!!!! Ocean Technology Foundation

  27. Overall Good Health No Yes Ocean Technology Foundation

  28. For more information visit our website: www.oceantechnology.org jenna@oceantechnology.org Ocean Technology Foundation

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