The Lobster (Homarus americanus) Fishery off Lower Argyle Southwestern Nova Scotia

Abstract

Catch and effort data for the lobster (Homarus americanus) fishery of Lower Argyle, Nova Scotia, were obtained from sales slips on a weekly basis during 1978–87. Lobster size–frequency distributions were collected during at-sea sampling at the beginning and end of each fishing season. This fishery experienced a three-fold increase in landings (from 87.6 to 270 t) due to an increase in recruitment during the 10-yr study. The fishermen responded to the improved recruitment by increasing the total number of days fished per season by 41%. Overall mortality of recruited lobster (estimated from size–frequencies) rose from 55% in 1978 to 72–81% during 1985–87. During the 1987–88 fishing season, about 1 t lobster were removed per km2 of fishing grounds. Regression relationships between a prerecruit juvenile abundance index (numbers of lobster/trap haul) and the recruited yield one to two fishing seasons later were significantly correlated for 8–9 yr of data; equations predicted that lobster yields would remain high during the 1988–89 fishing season but decline in this area during 1989–90 fishing season. Management implications of forecasting recruitment yields 1–2 yr in advance and possible strategies to reduce major recruitment fluctuations in this fishery are discussed.