Risk factors affecting post-capture health and productivity of impounded American lobsters (Homarus americanus) in Atlantic Canada

The Canadian lobster industry holds lobsters (Homarus americanus ) in captivity for various periods to supply the market with live product year-round. Mortalities during holding result in considerable losses, estimated at 10 to 15%, per year by the industry. The first part of this study evaluated lobster health variation among fishing boats from different fishing ports located in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island from May 1996 to February 1997. A total of 3,525 lobsters from 99 different boats were tagged and monitored. The second part assessed lobster fishing practices on various boats, and related these practices to lobster vigour measured at the processing plants. A total of 2,191 lobsters landed from 64 boats in 1997 were included, in the study. Lobsters were tagged and their vigour assessed on the boats, at the wharves, and at the time of entry into the processing plants, while fishing and transportation practices were monitored. The third part of this study examined the prevalence of Anophryoides haemophlia and Aerococcus viridans, causative agents of bumper car disease and gaffkemia respectively, in lobsters caught in the waters of Prince Edward Island during the spring and fall fishing seasons of 1997. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).