Estimates of abundance and recruitment to the standing stock for a Newfoundland population of the lobster, Homarus americanus, with a method of estimating its natural mortality [Canada]

• Published in: Rapports et procès-verbaux des réunions - Conseil international pour l'exploration de la mer Vol. 175
• Main Author: Ennis, G.P. (Research and Resource Services, St. John's (Canada). Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.12.1979
• ISSN: 0074-4336

The Petersen method is used to estimate the standing stock in a Newfoundland population of the lobster, Homarus americanus. An estimated 17 642 commercial lobsters were present on the grounds (along approximately 10 miles of shoreline) at the start of the 1975 fishing season. Over the season the rate of exploitation was estimated at 85.8 per cent. Through the use of shell condition sampling following the previous moulting period, catch sampling data obtained during the fishing season, and moult increment data for lobsters in the area, it was estimated that 76.7 per cent by number were recruits to the fishery. A possible method of estimating natural mortality, when the data necessary to produce the above estimates are available for two consecutive years, is described.