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Update on Study of Asian Crab Predation on Juvenile Lobsters
By
Anna Demeo, University of Maine graduate student
and Dr. John Riley, University of Maine School of Marine
Sciences and Lobster Institute Cooperating Research Associate
The Asian Shore crab has a square shaped carapace with three spines (3 points on each side), dark bands on its legs, and a brown to purplish body color. Typically they are found under stones on rocky beaches with low to moderate wave action. They reside primarily in the middle and lower intertidal zones but move downward on the shore during the winter.--cont. in “Research Report”
A continuing “did you know” series featuring highlights of Lobster
Institute research and other accomplishments.
V-Notch Research
This early work provided preliminary
evidence that v-notched lobsters may 1) comprise a significant proportion of
mature lobsters 2) alter noticeably the sex ratio of mature lobsters 3) comprise
the majority of the egged lobsters and consequently enhance proportion of mature
lobsters that are egged and 4) may contribute significantly to egg production
along coastal Maine, thus augmenting the recruitment process.
Lobster
Institute Prepares for Special Fund Raising Campaign
Since its inception in 1987, and
through a proactive approach to research and educational outreach, the Lobster
Institute has been protecting, sustaining and enhancing the vitality of the
lobster resource and lobstering as an industry…and a way of life.
The Institute remains dedicated to its founding principles of
cooperation, communication, and a commitment to conservation of the resource and
the industry.
The Lobster Institute’s Board of
Advisors has authorized preparations for a fund raising campaign, primarily to
endow the operations and research priorities of the Institute.
“An endowment fund will secure the operations of the Lobster Institute
and allow us to respond rapidly to challenges facing the lobster industry,”
said Bill Adler, Chairman of the Lobster Institute. “It will give us needed security, and thus freedom, to
pursue crucial areas of research in a timely fashion, particularly in the area
of lobster health.”
When asked about the value of the Institute and the need for an endowment, Dana Rice, a fisherman and lobster dealer from Bunker’s Harbor and member of the Institute’s Board of Advisors said, “The Lobster Institute works with lobstermen and others in the lobster business to help solve industry problems. They provide scientific information that helps protect the lobster resource. They act as a sort of 911 for the lobster industry, and facilitate communication within the industry region-wide. I’ve seen first-hand the valuable work they do. It’s important to make sure that the work of the Lobster Institute continues.”
The Institute is putting together a Campaign Advisory Committee to assist them in laying the groundwork for an endowment campaign. They have also retained the services of Noble Smith Associates, a fund raising consultant with offices in, Maine and in Pennsylvania. Together they will be establishing endowment objectives based on goals defined in the Institute’s long-range plan, developing needed support documents, as well as researching sources for both campaign seed capital and endowment funding. A preliminary goal for seed capital to be used for both planning and implementing the campaign has been set at $100,000, with several gifts already in hand (see sidebar.)
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Special
Thanks to the Ø
Harlan Billings, Owner –
Billings Diesel & Marine |
“We’re grateful to the Darden Restaurants
Foundation for making the first gift of $10,000 as seed capital for the
campaign, and for the Knotts of Riverdale Mills for matching that amount.
With an additional gift of $3,000 from Fishery Products International, we
have a terrific jumpstart in raising the needed seed money to organize our
campaign for optimum success,” said Adler.
The endowment objectives will address
such areas as secure operations and leadership of the Institute, continued
communications and outreach on behalf of the industry, as well as needed lobster
health research and environmental monitoring, and stock assessment.
“The Lobster Institute is extremely
fortunate to have a talented and dedicated group of volunteers who form the
nucleus of our Campaign Advisory Committee,” said Adler. “We’ll be adding
more members to further expand the reach and expertise of this group.”
Look for more details in future issues
of the Lobster Bulletin as we progress towards a campaign kickoff.
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The Lobster Institute
is looking for a “Santa” to donate the following items essential to its
research, communications, and educational outreach efforts:
LCD Projector –
to connect to laptop for use in educational programs and scientific
presentations
Server – to host our extensive Web site
Boat – lobster or other, for research or resale
Display Cases/Shelves – for our planned lobster education center
Readers may contact the Lobster Institute for more
detailed information on any of the projects reported.
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Study
on Asian Shore Crabs --cont. from page 1
A study of the predation of Asian Shore crabs on juvenile lobsters was
conducted at the University of Maine in Orono to determine if Asian Shore crabs
can and do consume juvenile lobsters. The
study consisted of several trials in which one lobster and one crab were placed
in each of the six containers. Shelter
was provided for the lobsters by means of two overturned halves of mussel
shells, each broken enough to allow a juvenile lobster to get under it.
A piece of a clam was placed in each container as an alternate food
source for the crab.
The results of this study demonstrated
that Asian Shore crabs can and will consume juvenile lobsters.
All but one lobster was eaten by the end of the experiment (97%) and in
all cases the clam was never fully eaten. Therefore the lobsters were preferred
over the clams even though the lobsters were more work.
These results were surprising as it was initially thought that although
the Asian Shore crab probably could consume a juvenile lobster that it most
often would not choose to do so especially with an alternative food source
available.
These findings are significant because
they open up the possibility of an Asian Shore crab invasion having an effect on
juvenile lobster populations. However,
the results of this study should not be taken as evidence that the lobster
population in Maine or anywhere else is at risk due to such an invasion.
Rather this study should be seen as a first step in understanding the
relationship between Asian Shore crabs and juvenile lobsters.
Knowing that these crabs can and will eat juvenile lobsters is a
noteworthy finding but it is only the first step.
Many questions need to be answered with regard to this topic.
Will the lobsters simply move into deeper water out of the range of the
crab? Will the crab’s presence
force the lobsters from needed shelter and open them up to other prey? In an
environment more indicative of its natural habitat, would the lobster be able to
out run, out maneuver or hide from the crab?
Clearly further research should be done to address these questions.
The fact that Asian Shore crab can and will prey on juvenile lobsters
sharply increases the need for these questions to be answered.
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Blue
Atlantic Outlines Priority Research Areas on
Potential Impacts of a Proposed Sub-sea Natural Gas Pipeline on Lobster Movement
and Behavior – In
a follow-up to a workshop held in Rhode Island on June 23-25 on their proposed
pipeline project, El Paso Eastern Pipeline and Blue Atlantic Transmission
Systems outlined potential studies,
noted as priorities by workshop participants:
§
Noise, Temperature and Vibration – (in Nova Scotia/2003-04) To measure these emissions
from an operating pipeline and compare these emissions to data on catchability
of lobsters.
§
Tank Studies – (in Nova Scotia /2003-04) To determine under what circumstances
lobsters will cross pipelines within experimental tanks Tagging Study –
(Jordan Bay, Nova Scotia/2004) To determine lobster movements in and near Jordan
Bay.
§
Mesocosm Study – (USA/2004) To determine under what circumstances lobsters will
cross pipelines in an enclosed area of natural habitat.
§
In Situ Study – (USA/2004) To determine under what circumstances lobsters will
cross longer pipelines in areas of unenclosed natural habitat.
According to Blue Atlantic, those who would
like to participate or provide input in specified research are encouraged to
contact Mr. Mark Gardella of ENSR Corporation, United States (860-429-5323 –
mgardella@ensr.com) or Mr. Marty Janowitz of Jacques Whitford Environment Ltd,
Canada (902 -468-7777x400 – mjanowitz@jacqueswhitford.com)
Indicate which studies and team arrangements you are interested in pursuing.
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Fishery Products
International Working with the Lobster Institute
–Fishery Products International
Mike Sirois, Fishery
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