Movements of lobsters (Homarus americanus) tagged in the Bay of Fundy, Canada

Abstract

Of the 18 359 American lobsters (Homarus americanus) tagged and released at three locations in the Bay of Fundy during 1977–1980, 5 375 lobsters (29.3%) were recaptured within 6 yr of release. Mature lobsters (≧95-mm carapace length, CL) on average moved significantly greater distances than immature lobsters ( 92.6 km (50 nautical miles) from the release sites; the farthest distance moved was 798 km for a male at liberty for 3.5 yr. Examination of the direction of movements indicates some intermixing of lobsters within the Bay of Fundy, and throughout the Gulf of Maine and the adjoining Continental Shelf and slopes. Mature lobsters were recaptured in deeper waters during winter than during summer. The seasonal shallow-deep migration of mature lobsters in the Bay of Fundy is possibly associated with maximizing degree-days for molting, growth, gonadal development, and egg development. In some areas, mature females on average moved farther and seasonally earlier into deeper waters than mature males. Although the seasonal migration resulted in many lobsters returning to the original release area year after year, some lobsters made extensive long-distance movements away from the Bay of Fundy. Temperature-dependent, seasonal deep-shallow migration can explain both the local returns and the long distance migrations of mature lobsters in the Bay of Fundy and the Gulf of Maine. To achieve appropriate seasonal temperature regimes, mature lobsters have to move different distances and directions, depending on local topography.