1999-2000 LOBSTER POUND SURVEY RESULTS

Dr. Deanna Prince

Inventory

Total inventory for all reporting pounds (28) was 2,440,067 lbs.

Inventory Change

As the total inventory value would suggest, fewer lobsters were pounded by 42% of reporting pounds for the 1999-200 winter pounding season.  One pound reported that they "took the year off".  Inventories were the same as the 1998-1999 values for 38% of respondents, while 20% increased their inventories.

Shrinkage

The average shrinkage for 1999-2000 was 9.6%.  This value was statistically similar to the average shrink for 1998-1999 (11.2%) and 19997-1998 (8.9%) reported in this survey.

The change in shrinkage from last year to this year was perhaps related to the reduction in inventory (stocking density). Pound owners who maintained the same or increased inventory experienced little change in shrinkage (-0.08%).  Those who reduced inventory saw shrinkage reduced by 4.1%.

Lobster Source

Eastern Maine was again the primary source of lobsters for survey respondents (79%).  Eight pounds bought 15-100% of their lobsters from Southern Maine, six exclusively.  All lobsters pounded in Maine were of Maine origin.  Canadian product was limited to Canadian pounds, with two obtaining at least a portion of their stock from New Brunswick, and two obtaining some lobsters from Nova Scotia.  No lobsters from "Other" sources were impounded.

Most pound operators (81%) purchased all lobsters from within their own region.

Feed Types

Herring was by far the dominant feed type used by pounds in 1999-2000, with use reported by 78% of survey respondents. However, only one pound fed herring exclusively.

Salted fish racks were second in importance to herring.  They were fed by 74% of pounds, and were used as the single food source by four pounds.  Interestingly, the number of pounds using salted racks increased dramatically from 1998-1999 (55%) values.

Use of raw fish racks also increased from the previous year.  Eight pounds fed racks, more than double the number of pounds using them last year.  One pound used them exclusively.

Medicated feed was administered by more than half of the pounds (59.2%).  It comprised 1-15% of lobsters' diets.

Non-medicated pellets were used by two pounds, but only comprised 5% of diet in each case.

Restocking

No pound required restocking due to poor lobster survival.

Aeration

Aeration was used by 66.7% of responding pounds.  It was not used by 33.3% of pounds.

Analysis

The survey data are being analyzed to examine any possible relationships between 1999-2000 shrinkage and pound location, amount of lobsters placed in storage, source of lobsters, type of feed used (including medicated feed), and aeration use.  The preliminary results of these analyses show:

• Pound location (area) appears to influence shrinkage, but more evaluation of this factor is needed.

• The volume of inventory does not have a significant effect on shrinkage.

• Lobster source as defined by the survey questionnaire is not a statistically significant source of variation for shrinkage values.

• There is a statistically significant difference in shrinkage with respect to medicated feed use (those who used medicated feed experienced lower shrinkages).

• There is not statistically significant difference in shrinkage with respect to aeration.

Thanks to all who participated.