GROWING THE AMERICAN LOBSTER

Abstract

ABSTRACTGrowth rates for Homarus americanus have been measured and interrelated in a comprehensive manner to include the required feeding rate, and food conversion efficiency. Feeding rate is a function only of age, and is given by: F = 300 C /θ where F is feeding rate in weight percent per day, θ is age in days, and C is grams of food per gram of growth. This equation also applies to other animals provided only that their length is proportional to age, and that weight varies as the cube of length.The equations are used to predict the size distribution of the ocean population, and are consistent with local field data. It takes about 6 years to reach legal size corresponding to about 454 g, but laboratory data project to only 2 years required if the lobsters are kept continuously in warm water.Factors causing mortality in the laboratory are discussed. Finally, illustrative economics for raising lobsters commercially from eggs are given and show a cost of $2.00 to $2.50 per 454 g which is about the current retail price.