An Artificial Reef For Lobsters (Homarus americanus)

Abstract

In July 1965 a rock reef covering 2740 m2 was built in 17 m of water in Northumberland Strait, eastern Canada. Systematic observations by scuba divers showed the development of a fauna and flora including a number of lobsters. The lobster biomass after 2 years was less than that on productive lobster grounds nearby, although the average size of lobsters was larger. There was no evidence of larval settlement, colonization being by immigration.