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The MLA Supports Collaborative Research
For nearly 50 years, the MLA has been an advocate for expanding research on lobster stocks and developing cooperative research projects in order to integrate fishermen’s vast knowledge of the ocean and lobster resource. MLA members have pioneered many collaborative research projects working with university, government and independent scientists on a variety of research projects. MLA members are currently involved in several research projects. The annual V-notch survey is conducted in concert with the Maine Department of Marine Resources and is used as a means to estimate future population abundance. eMOLT Environmental Monitors on Lobster Traps (eMOLT) is an innovative project begun in 2004 with the National Fisheries Research Center in Massachusetts and Southern Maine Community College in South Portland. Students and scientists build what are essentially underwater kites. The frames are made of PVC pipes and fiberglass rods which support four white vinyl-cloth sails. The drifters have window-sash weights for ballast, net-buoy toggles for flotation and a small GPS transmitter mounted to the top that reports its position about every hour. The low-cost configuration and use of less-expensive, off-the-shelf technology has allowed production of dozens of these drifters which by 2010 have covered several hundred thousands of kilometers of ocean. The data have allowed oceanographers to describe details of both the mean and the inter-annual variability of coastal currents. MLA contributes to the Maine Department of Marine Resources’ sea sampling and trawl survey programs. The sea sampling program places trained observers onto commercial lobster boats to gather biological and fishing information. Compiling this data enables DMR lobster managers to identify geographic and biological trends in the coastal lobster fishery. Each sampler records everything that comes out of every trap hauled on a given day including carapace length, sex, cull status, v-notch condition, egg development stage, molt status and presence of shell disease. They also measure and record any finfish bycatch caught in the traps. This is all done with a voice recorder so that samplers’ hands are free to move quickly through the lobsters. In addition, the samplers will gather information such as soak time for a trap, geographic location, depth and string type. At the end of the sampling season, all trip data are compiled and quality-checked. Data are presented either by zone, by month or by ten minute square. Then trip reports are sent to each participating lobsterman. In addition, MLA is conducting a joint project with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute to involve the Maine lobster industry in creation of a model that reflects the risk of vertical lines to whales along the Maine coast. |
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