13 Crustaceans data

13.1 Lobster Surveys

13.1.1 Project information

Lead entity: ME DMR

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Kathleen Reardon

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2023

Data end year: Present

Spatial scale: Project

13.1.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.maine.gov/dmr/science/wind-research

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: “Yes, by request”

Data categories: Crustaceans

Data type: spatial

13.1.3 Project description

To understand baseline lobster size and sex distribution and movement patterns and determine if it changes during and after turbine installation

13.2 DMR Ventless Trap Lobster Survey

13.2.1 Project information

Lead entity: ME DMR

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Kathleen Reardon

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2006

Data end year: Present

Spatial scale: State

13.2.2 Data information

Project link: https://www11.maine.gov/dmr/science/species-information/maine-lobster/surveys/ventless-trap-survey

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Crustaceans

Data type: spatial

13.2.3 Project description

Since 2006 the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) has been conducting a collaborative study with local lobsterman up and down the coast of Maine. This Ventless Trap Survey (VTS) allows DMR to collect more data on the juvenile lobster population in Maine. These data help to create a more thorough stock assessment together with the Sea Sampling and Settlement Surveys. The study is conducted each year June through August, with two data collection days per month. The sites are fished by lobstermen chosen by competitive bid under contract to DMR. All experimental gear will have bright orange poly buoys marked with DMR contact information. This is a fishery independent study and DMR staff will be onboard all trips to measure all lobsters.

13.3 MaineDMR Lobster Conservation Areas

13.3.1 Project information

Lead entity: ME DMR

Partner entities: NA

PI name: DeVoe, William

PI contact information:

Data start year: Unknown

Data end year: 2023

Spatial scale: State

13.3.3 Project description

Feature layer (polygon) of lobster conservation areas in Maine, as established by regulations in Chapter 25 of agency rulemaking. For more information see http://www.maine.gov/dmr/laws-regulations/regulations/index.html

13.4 [PLANNED] Gulf of Maine fish and invertebrate benthic habitat baseline data collection

13.4.1 Project information

Lead entity: TBD

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Brandon Jensen

PI contact information:

Data start year:

Data end year: 2026

Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine

13.4.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/environment/environmental-studies/Studies-Development-Plan-2023-2024.pdf

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Habitat, Molluscs, Crustaceans, Groundfish

Data type: spatial

13.4.3 Project description

The objective of this study is to establish baseline benthic habitat characteristics at regional/WEA scales (10s of km). These data would allow for improved siting, impact assessments, and provide a baseline to evaluate project-scale habitat surveys submitted by lessees. Additionally, the results of this study would enhance our scientific understanding of these habitats, improve our EFH consultations with NMFS under the MSA in the region, and inform the National Environmental Policy Act process with the best available information regarding benthic resources in the Gulf of Maine.

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

13.5 DMR Lobster Sea Sampling Program

13.5.1 Project information

Lead entity: ME DMR

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Kathleen Reardon

PI contact information:

Data start year: 1985

Data end year: Present

Spatial scale: State

13.5.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.maine.gov/dmr/science/species-information/maine-lobster/surveys/sea-sampling-survey

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Crustaceans

Data type: spatial

13.5.3 Project description

The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) sea sampling program began collecting at-sea catch/effort and biological information on legal and discarded lobsters from the near shore Maine lobster fishery in 1985. The sea sampling program was initiated at the request of industry, managers and scientists as there was a lack of information on the discarded portion of the lobster. Over the years, the program has expanded to become the largest at-sea sampling program for lobster in the northeast. Time-series of catch rates and biological data have been used in numerous investigations of width/length relationships, fecundity, size-at-maturity, sex ratio, geographic variation, growth, V-notch composition, and selectivity. Data from the sea sampling program contribute directly to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) American lobster stock assessment.

13.6 American Lobster Settlement Survey

13.6.1 Project information

Lead entity: ME DMR

Partner entities: University of Maine, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences

PI name: Kathleen Reardon

PI contact information:

Data start year: 1989

Data end year: Present

Spatial scale: State

13.6.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.maine.gov/dmr/science/species-information/maine-lobster/surveys/settlement-survey

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Crustaceans

Data type: spatial

13.6.3 Project description

Surveys of the Maine juvenile lobster population were started in the Midcoast region (Zone E) in 1989 by researchers at the University of Maine and the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. In 2000, the settlement surveys were expanded to cover all seven of Maine’s lobster management zones in order to create a statewide index of settlement. In 2005, the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) fully took over the monitoring effort in Maine. Settlement surveys using the same methodologies as Maine are conducted throughout New England and Maritime Canada. In 2012 data from these various groups was brought together in a single publicly accessible database called ALSI (American Lobster Settlement Index). This collaborative provides standardization in sampling methods and facilitates data analysis across all sampling programs. Using this type of fishery-independent survey, researchers at the University of Maine and the DMR hope to track juvenile populations and generate predictive models of future landings.

13.7 Maine Department of Marine Resources plankton and larval lobster survey

13.7.1 Project information

Lead entity: Maine Department of Marine Resources

Partner entities: Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, University of Maine, University of Southern Maine

PI name: Unknown

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2024

Data end year: 2030

Spatial scale: Project

13.7.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.maine.gov/dmr/node/1467

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Plankton, Crustaceans

Data type: spatial

13.7.3 Project description

Vertical plankton tows goal: Understand baseline water conditions, stratification, and plankton community composition and distribution and determine if they change during and after turbine installation Horizontal neuston tows goal: To understand baseline larval lobster abundance and distribution and determine if it changes after turbine installation

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

13.8 Shrimp Survey Data

13.8.1 Project information

Lead entity: NOAA NEFSC

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Peter D Chase

PI contact information:

Data start year: 1983

Data end year: Present

Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine

13.8.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/25087

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Crustaceans

Data type: spatial

13.8.3 Project description

The Northern Shrimp Survey was initiated in 1983 by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and monitors the relative abundance (number of shrimp), biomass (weight of shrimp), and composition of the northern shrimp stock throughout the Gulf of Maine. The data give an understanding of year class strength and sex stage and maturity of shrimp in the population. The survey focuses its efforts in offshore waters (in depths greater than 50 meters) and is timed to sample both males and females during the summer when they are expected to be offshore. The data it collects forms the basis of the annual northern shrimp assessment, which in turn, is used by fishery managers from Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts to set each year’s fishing regulations.

[1] “This data was sourced from: RWSC_early-2025”

13.9 New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game YoY Index

13.9.1 Project information

Lead entity: New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Unknown

PI contact information: Unknown

Data start year: Unknown

Data end year: Present

Spatial scale: State

13.9.2 Data information

Project link: https://asmfc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AmLobsterFMPReviewFY2022.pdf

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Crustaceans

Data type: “research project, synthesis, or technology development”

13.9.3 Project description

New Hampshire Fish and Game conducted a portion of the coastwide American Lobster Settlement Index (ALSI). In 2022, a total of 46 juvenile lobsters were sampled from three sites; 36 older juveniles, five young-of-year (YOY) lobster, and five one-year-old (Y+). Figure 11 depicts the CPUE (#/m2) of all sampled lobsters, YOY and Y+, for all New Hampshire sites combined from 2008 through 2022. For each of these indices, CPUE shows a general upward trend to a time series high in 2011 with sustained moderate to low levels from 2012 through 2022.

13.10 New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game Ventless Trap Survey

13.10.1 Project information

Lead entity: New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Unknown

PI contact information: Unknown

Data start year: 2009

Data end year: Present

Spatial scale: State

13.10.2 Data information

Project link: https://asmfc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AmLobsterFMPReviewFY2022.pdf

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Crustaceans

Data type: spatial

13.10.3 Project description

Since 2009, NHF&G has been conducting the coastwide Random Stratified Ventless Trap Survey in state waters (statistical area 513). A total of six sites were surveyed twice a month from June through September in 2022. Catch per unit effort (stratified mean catch per trap haul) from 2009 through 2022 is presented in Figure 16. Annual stratified mean catch per trap haul values varied without significant positive or negative trend throughout the fourteen year time series.

13.11 ME-NH Inshore Trawl Survey

13.11.1 Project information

Lead entity: Maine DMR

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Unknown

PI contact information: Unknown

Data start year: 2000

Data end year: Present

Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine

13.11.2 Data information

Project link: https://asmfc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AmLobsterFMPReviewFY2022.pdf

Data link: https://mainedmr.shinyapps.io/MaineDMR_Trawl_Survey_Portal/

Metadata link:

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Crustaceans, Habitat, Groundfish

Data type: spatial

13.11.3 Project description

The Maine-New Hampshire Inshore Trawl survey began in 2000 and covers approximately two-thirds of the inshore portion of Gulf of Maine. The spring survey began May 2, 2022 in Portsmouth, NH. However, during the first day of the survey a positive covid case occurred; as a result the survey was stopped while staff and crew quarantined. During this time the decision was made to restart the survey following the current schedule due the lack of accommodations and increase issues with gear in regions 4 and 5 in mid-June, and region 3 started back up on time on May 16, 2022 and ended on June 6, 2021 off of Lubec, Maine. Regions 1 and 2 were then rescheduled after the original end date of the survey and were completed on the weeks of June 6th and June 13th, respectively. Due to covid and gear conflicts, 101 out of the 120 scheduled tows were completed leading to an 84% completion rate for the survey. A total of 10,854 lobsters were caught and sampled, with 5,133 females, 5,719 males and 2 unsexed caught and measured (Figure 4). The fall survey began on September 26, 2022 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and finished on October 28, 2022 off of Lubec, Maine. Due to the adverse weather and gear conflicts, 87 out of the 120 scheduled tows were completed leading to a 73% completion rate for the survey. A total of 10,423 lobsters were caught and sampled, with 5,100 females, 5,319 males, and 4 unknown sexes sampled (Figure 5).

13.12 MADMF Commercial Lobster Trap Sampling

13.12.1 Project information

Lead entity: Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Tracy Pugh

PI contact information:

Data start year: 1981

Data end year: Unknown

Spatial scale: State

13.12.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/american-lobster-research-and-monitoring

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Crustaceans

Data type: “research project, synthesis, or technology development”

13.12.3 Project description

DMF has worked with state commercial lobstermen to sample their catch since 1981. DMF uses these data to describe the size structure and the sex ratio of the commercial catch. In 2016, DMF sampled a total of 45,130 lobsters from 15,121 trap hauls. DMF also monitored for shell disease, which remains prevalent in lobsters found south of Cape Cod. Twenty percent of the 716 lobsters sampled south of the Cape had shell disease. It is much less common in lobsters found in the Gulf of Maine or along the Outer Cape Cod region. Only 5 percent of 5,037 sampled lobster from the Gulf of Maine had the disease, and less than 1 percent in Outer Cape Cod had it.

13.13 MADMF Early benthic-phase suction sampling

13.13.1 Project information

Lead entity: Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Tracy Pugh

PI contact information:

Data start year: 1994

Data end year: Unknown

Spatial scale: State

13.13.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/american-lobster-research-and-monitoring

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Crustaceans

Data type: “research project, synthesis, or technology development”

13.13.3 Project description

DMF began suction sampling in 1994 to learn how many settled post-larval lobsters there are in our waters. It also helped DMF determine what coastal habitat is important to the settlement of these juveniles. Each year, DMF SCUBA divers sample locations in our coastal waters from Buzzards Bay, Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts Bay, and Cape Ann.

13.14 MADMF Ventless lobster trap survey

13.14.1 Project information

Lead entity: Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Tracy Pugh

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2016

Data end year: 2016

Spatial scale: State

13.14.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/american-lobster-research-and-monitoring

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: No

Data categories: Crustaceans

Data type: spatial

13.14.3 Project description

For this survey, contracted Massachusetts lobstermen set and haul research traps without escape vents. These traps sit at random locations in our coastal waters. This survey tracks and forecasts the number of lobster, as well as many important bycatch species like crabs and whelk. The 2016 survey occurred from June through September with eight contracted vessels. In NMFS Area 514, the survey observed 19,896 lobsters from a total of 2,851 trap hauls. In the southern survey area, DMF sampled 8,173 lobsters from 1,966 trap hauls.

13.15 SouthCoast Wind Project Final Environmental Impact Statement

13.15.1 Project information

Lead entity: BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Unknown

PI contact information: Unknown

Data start year: 2021

Data end year: 2024

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

13.15.2 Data information

Project link: https://tethys.pnnl.gov/publications/southcoast-wind-project-final-environmental-impact-statement

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Coastal fishes, Pelagic fishes, Crustaceans, Groundfish, Marine mammals, Sea turtles, Seabirds, Physical oceanography

Data type: “research project, synthesis, or technology development”

13.15.3 Project description

This Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) assesses the potential biological, socioeconomic, physical, and cultural impacts that could result from the construction and installation, operations and maintenance, and conceptual decommissioning of the SouthCoast Wind Project (Project) proposed by SouthCoast Wind Energy LLC (SouthCoast Wind), in its Construction and Operations Plan (COP).

13.16 Northeast Regional Habitat Assessment Data Explorer

13.16.1 Project information

Lead entity: MAFMC, NEFMC, NEFSC

Partner entities: Many

PI name: Jessica Coakley

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2022

Data end year: Present

Spatial scale: Northwest Atlantic

13.16.2 Data information

Project link: https://www.mafmc.org/nrha

Data link: https://nrha.shinyapps.io/dataexplorer/#!/species

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Groundfish, Elasmobranchs, Crustaceans, Pelagic fishes, Habitat, Molluscs, Diadromous fish, Coastal fishes

Data type: spatial

13.16.3 Project description

This application shares products from the Northeast Regional Marine Fish Habitat Assessment (NRHA)and provides tools to explore fish habitat data*, with an emphasis on habitat use at different regional scales and by diverse fish and shellfish species in the Northeast.

13.17 Maine-New Hampshire (ME-NH) Trawl Survey Data Portal

13.17.1 Project information

Lead entity: Maine DMR

Partner entities: NA

PI name: Robyn Linner

PI contact information:

Data start year: 2000

Data end year: Present

Spatial scale: Gulf of Maine

13.17.2 Data information

Project link: https://mainedmr.shinyapps.io/MaineDMR_Trawl_Survey_Portal/

Data link: NA

Metadata link: NA

Data availability: Yes

Data categories: Habitat, Physical oceanography, Groundfish, Molluscs, Crustaceans, Pelagic fishes, Coastal fishes, Elasmobranchs, Diadromous fish

Data type: spatial

13.17.3 Project description

The Maine-New Hampshire Inshore Trawl Survey is a fishery-independent survey operated by Maine Department of Marine Resources that started in the fall of 2000. The survey is a collaborative partnership between commercial fishermen and state researchers to assess inshore fish stocks along the coast of Maine and New Hampshire. The survey occurs twice a year, in the spring and fall, and covers about 4500 square miles.