Lobster and Jonah Crab Research Fleet Data Collection Strategies
Lobster Data Collection:
Participant vessels sample a minimum of 300 lobsters or 60 commercial traps per month. Data for lobsters caught in a three ventless traps is also reported, and lobstermen have the option of entering notes about weather conditions, bycatch, habitat type, etc.
Lobster data parameters include:
Carapace length (mm)
Sex
Females - Egg bearing status and staging
Females - V-notch status
Severity of shell disease
Shell hardness (jelly, paper, hard shell)
Retained/Discarded
The date/time, location, depth, soak time, statistical area, and number of traps processed are also recorded for each sampling event.
View the detailed lobster data collection strategy here.
Equipment being used:
Samsung Galaxy Tab A tablets
DryCase waterproof tablet case
Custom-made "On Deck Data" App
Trawl Selection
Commercial Trap Sampling
Ventless Trap Sampling
Reviewing and Uploading Data
Mitutoyo waterproof calipers
Jonah Crab Data Collection:
Participant vessels sample a minimum of 150 Jonah crabs or 60 commercial traps per month. Discarded and retained Jonah crabs are sampled from commercial crab gear, commercial lobster gear, and ventless traps.
Jonah crab data parameters include:
Carapace Width
Sex
Females - Egg bearing
Shell hardness (jelly, paper, hard shell)
Retained/Discarded
Trap configuration is recorded in coordination with biological sampling. The date/time, location, depth, soak time, statistical area, and number of traps processed are also recorded for each sampling event.
View the On-Deck Data Jonah crab data collection strategy here.
Jonah Crab Sexual Maturity:
Participants vessels collected male and female Jonah crabs from five regions (Inshore Southern New England, Offshore Southern New England, Georges Bank, Inshore Gulf of Maine, and Offshore Gulf of Maine) for macroscopic gonad analysis.
Jonah crab morphometrics include:
Carapace width and length
Crab depth
Claw length and height
After each crab is measured, the carapace is removed and gonads are examined microscopically to determine maturity status. A sample of female gonad was taken using forceps to measure individual ova under a microscope.
BOTTOM WATER TEMPERATURE MONITORING:
Each vessel selects a fixed site within their normal fishing area to designate as a bottom temperature monitoring site. Bottom water temperature data is collected and recorded over the course of the year in coordination with the On Deck Data lobster and Jonah crab sampling practices of the fishing vessel.
View the CFRF Lobster Research Fleet bottom water temperature data collection strategy here.
Equipment being used includes:
VEMCO Minilog II temperature sensor
VEMCO Field Reader
Custom-made "Ocean Temps" app
Retrieve temperature data via Bluetooth
Record location, date/time, and depth
Instantly view time series of temperature data
Record notes about monitoring area or time period
Wirelessly upload temperature data to CFRF database
