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Representatives from the University of Maine's Center for Marine Studies, Sea
Grant College Program, Agricultural Experiment Station, Maine Lobster Institute,
and the Maine Lobstermen's Association were guests at the Annual British
Shellfish Association Conference held in May at Fishmongers Hall in London,
England. The conference, which draws together shellfish interests from
government, science, and industry in the United Kingdom and other European
countries, focuses on practical problems and new opportunities for the regional
shellfish industry.
The group participated in workshops on improvements in shellfish processing
equipment, shellfish sanitation, marketing opportunities in Spain, fisheries
management, and the Scottish shellfish industry.
The team then travelled to the Seafish Authoritie's Marine Lab in Ardtoe,
Scotland, to observe lobster hatch and release programs, and halibut, salmon, and
shellfish culture operations.
1. What are the impacts of dragging on the resource?
2. How important are offshore stocks to recruitment?
3. Where is the contribution of the V-notched lobster?
4. What size lobster contributes the most to recruitment?
5. Assessment of the lobster seed program? Should we consider lobster sanctuaries?
6. Are there significant environmental impacts occurring on the resource?
(i.e.TBT or other pollution)
7. What is the effectiveness of hatchery programs?
8. Can we develop a better banding method?
9. What are the primary juvenile habitats?
10. Do lost traps continue to trap lobsters?(We need a biodegradable trap
panel that will be guaranteed to last a season).
11. What are possible cures for shell disease?
As one can see, problems that the industry faces were found to range on a
continuum from applied to fundamental. The MLI Board of Advisors felt that
projects dealing with applied problems could be adequately handled through the
MLI existing and projected resources. However, the more fundamental problems
(i.e. recruitment and habitat studies) require additional support from and
cooperation with groups such as National Marine Fisheries Service, Sea Grant, the
National Science Foundation and others .
The broad industry representation of the Board allows the survey of needs to be a
"living" process. Newly identified problems or opportunities surface quickly
through these industry representatives and their associations.
RESEARCH
The Migration Study served as a prototype for a cooperative research project of
the University of Maine, the Maine Department of Marine Resources, and the Maine
Lobstermen's Association. In this project, approximately 4000 lobsters were
tagged, released and their movement monitored over a three year period. Data has
so far been compiled for two years. Data for the third year will hopefully be
compiled and analyzed this summer by Peter Daniels, who now teaches at the
University of Georgia. The migration study was funded primarily through the Sea
Grant College Program.
Dr. Irving Kornfield at the University of Maine, is conducting an
Inshore/Offshore Genetics Study to determine the extent to which offshore lobster
populations contribute to inshore production and larval recruitment. The MLI
served as an advisor on the project and as a liason in obtaining lobsters from
onshore and offshore populations. Kornfield is seeking two more years of funding
through Sea Grant to continue this important research.
In the Lobster Ecology & Impacts of Dragging Study, the MLI assisted Dr. Robert
Steneck of the University in instituting a trap-free zone in the "Thread of Life"
area of the Damariscotta River. This is the first time that fishermen banded
together to keep an area free of traps during six weeks in the summer, so that
Steneck could conduct his research. Results showed that when traps containing
lobster bait are removed, population density changes. With additional Sea Grant
funding, Steneck will continue his studies to determine the impact of dragging on
lobster populations and the carrying capacity of their habitats.
Lobster Band Testing is a new problem-solving project suggested by the MLI.
Keeping bands on lobster claws has been a problem for pound owners in particular,
for years. University of Maine Professor John Riley, along with other researchers
in the Agricultural Engineering Department, have been testing existing bands for
elasticity and deterioration, and are working on a better banding system. The
project is being funded by the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station through it's
Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Group (FARG). The MLI obtained the bands that
were used in the research.
Another problem identified by the MLI has led to plans for a Ghost Trap Study.
This new project could help answer the question: do lost traps continue to trap
lobsters which eventually starve to death or can the lobsters escape? Dr. Robert
Bayer is working with fishermen from Islesford to video record all activity
around a series of traps off the Cranberry Islands over a 4-6 month period. The
MLI helped locate the fishermen who are participating in the project and is
working with the University's Center for Marine Studies to obtain funding for the
necessary equipment.
In the Lobster Hatchery project, Sam Chapman of the Darling Marine Center is
working with Brian Beak Environmental Resource Coordinator at the University of
Maine at Machias, to monitor lobsters in the Cutler Marine Hatchery. The MLI
hopes to initiate a study in the near future to ascertain the effectiveness of
hatch and release programs on resource enhancement.
EDUCATION Conferences: The MLI sponsored a planning meeting of lobster
researchers of North America held in St. Andrews, New Brunswick at the beginning
of May. Plans for an international lobster convention in 1989 were discussed. The
convention will provide us an opportunity to discuss current scientific research
and discover which areas are being overlooked and those in which we can better
coordinate our efforts. We have received a grant from the Northeast Marine
Advisory Council for $3000 to plan this convention. Information & Public
Education: The MLI publishes a quarterly Lobster Bulletin (with a
distribution of
over 4000), which covers current research and other topics of interest to the
lobster industry. The book Lobsters Inside-Out, published last winter, was
initially funded by Sea Grant. However, after expenses are recovered, it will be
distributed through the MLI with profits going to the Institute. L.L. Bean is
helping to market the book. A Lobster in Every Pot, a cookbook by wives in the
fishing industry, is being coordinated by the MLI. L.L. Bean has also agreed to
help market this book when published. A Maine Public Broadcasting Network
television program, on the history, current problems, and future of the lobster
industry, is in the planning stage. We hope to begin work on it this summer.
DEVELOPMENT & FUNDRAISING
The Capital Campaign is now underway with Joe being assisted by Forester Clark
Smith, an experienced, professional fundraiser from Tenants Harbor. Mr. Smith has
volunteered to assist us in working with large corporations and Maine's summer
resident community. To date, we have received $5000 from L.L. Bean as a
development grant.
Robert Bayer Receives Award for Lobster Research
Lobster researcher Robert Bayer of the Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department
at the University of Maine received the school's 1988 Presidential Public Service
Achievement Award for his success in controlling the fatal bacterial disease
gaffkemia.
Bayer developed a vaccine that controlled the bacteria and a procedure for adding
an antibiotic to lobster feed. The medicated feed, now produced commercially, is
used throughout Maine as well as the Maritime Provinces. The feed has been very
successful in controlling Red Tail outbreaks in lobster pounds and cars with an
estimated savings for the Maine lobster industry alone at over a million
dollars.
NEEDS SURVEY
David Dow,
Executive Director, Maine Lobster Institute
The Maine Lobster Institute conducted a needs survey of the lobster industry
throughout North America. The 12 lobster associations and over 200 individuals
responding to the survey identified 40 areas of need. The Board of Advisors then
prioritized these needs, and will use the list to obtain support for projects in
these and other areas. The identified needs included:
Several lobster research projects were ongoing when the Maine Lobster Institute
became official. The Institute has found several ways to support and augment
those efforts in hopes of ensuring their successful completion. While supporting
ongoing projects, several new research initiatives were also established through
the MLI. A combined list with a brief description is provided here. The level of
industry support, especially in contributed time, vessel use, and logistical
support is of special note.
Shell Disease is another concern of the lobster industry. Although it has mainly
been found in lobsters from Nova Scotia, when these lobsters are purchased from
Canada and pounded here, shell disease becomes a problem for Maine pound owners.
Dr. Bayer, with support from FARG, will be working on this project to identify
the cause of the disease and explore possible cures.
Workshops: The MLI conducted a workshop at the Massachusetts
Lobstermen's Association Convention in January of this year. At the Maine
Fishermen's Forum, held in March of 1988 at the Samoset Resort in Rockland, the
Institute conducted four workshops in which our research faculty shared the
results of their work on projects discussed in the RESEARCH section. In addition,
the MLI co-sponsored (with the Maine Lobster Pound Association & Maine
Import/Export Lobster Dealers Association) a Lobster Dealers & Pound Operators
Workshop held in April, 1988. Just this month, the MLI also conducted a workshop
with UNH Sea Grant Extension to help New Hampshire lobstermen form an
association.
After much thought and careful consideration, the Board of Advisors devised a two
part development program --Annual Giving and a Capital Campaign. The Annual
Giving Campaign is designed for those who are in the industry to give on an
annual basis, through pledges. In May, 1987, we received nearly $25,000 from
these industry pledges. In the second year of operation, May 1988-89, we have
pledges of over $33,000 from companies throughout New England, and expect annual
industry pledges to top $70,000 this year. Our part-time Assistant Director for
Development, Joe Vachon, has been a great help to the Institute with the Annual
Giving Campaign.