Claw Loss and Other Wounds in Commercially Caught Lobsters (Homarus americanus)

Abstract

Incidence of claw loss in commercially caught lobsters (Homarus americanus) ranged between 5 and 19% but could not be attributed to any single cause, although factors such as rough handling by fishermen, moving fishing gear, and ice in shallow waters may contribute. The incidence of other wounds ranged between 1 and 11% and there was evidence that serious wounding was related to the local practice of harvesting Irish moss by rakes.