Lobster: American

Atlantic lobster, American Lobster, Maine Lobster

The American lobster (Homarus americanus) is one of about 30 species of clawed lobsters worldwide, and one of just two species of lobster belonging to the genus Homarus. Notable for its particularly large claws, the species is distributed across the continental shelf from the Straight of Belle Isle, Newfoundland, and southern Labrador in the north, to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina in the south. Regionally, abundance is highest in the shoal waters off of Maine and the Canadian Maritimes. Animals are found from the intertidal to ca. 700 m and are generally most abundant in shallow coastal areas. Lower density deep-water populations aggregate in areas with physical structure.

The American lobster is a long-lived, benthic invertebrate characterised by slow growth, late maturation, long intervals between mating, and egg production that increases exponentially with increasing female size. These life history characteristics result in an inherent vulnerability ranking of “moderate” for American lobster primarily because of the moderate age at first maturity, long-life span, and relatively narrow species range.

In the US, the American lobster is officially considered overfished with overfishing occurring. Normally this combination would result in a “critical” conservation concern. Due to the considerable controversy surrounding the use of the stock model and the enigmatic increase in abundance over the last 30 years, the current stock status is considered unknown and so rates as “moderate”. conservation concern.

Bycatch within lobster traps are typically quite low but the use of baitfish in the lobster fishery represents an ecosystem effect on par with moderate bycatch. Of greater concern is the high incidence of marine mammal entanglement, particularly the humpback and North Atlantic right whales, both endangered species in Canada and the US. Due to improved management efforts and the intention to reduce bycatch, lobster are currently ranked as a “high” conservation concern. However, lobster bycatch is expected to become a “critical” concern if significant management improvements are not made and implemented.

Lobster pots have low to moderate effects on ocean bottom habitat and the resilience of bottom habitat to these effects is considered moderate to high, depending on the substrate. Overall, the fishing practises on habitats and ecosystems in the American lobster fishery appears relatively benign and thus rates as a “low” conservation concern.

Lobster management employs a relatively rigorous management structure, with intensive monitoring of landing and Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE). Although management is divided along small geographic lines to encourage flexibility, it has not met stated goals with respect to stock status and marine mammal entanglements in the US. As a result, management of the lobster fishery is ranked as “moderately” effective.

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