Lobsters were captured from their dens using standard "lobster snares." 

 Carapace length in millimeters, sex, completeness of appendages, color code of 

 tag, den number, the investigator making the measurements, and time of day were 

 recorded for each lobster tagged. Lobster dens were marked with styrofoam 

 floats and numbered accordingly. Physical disturbance of the lobsters was kept 

 at a minimum during measuring and tagging. 



Color coded back tags (Figure 2), similar in format to the tags reported by 

 Cooper (1970) for the American lobster, were inserted into the dorsal mascula- 

 ture between the abdomen and thorax with the aid of a No. 20 syringe needle. 

 The colors used in various combinations were yellow, white, brown, blue, black, 

 and red. Color coding permitted recognition of individuals and the study area 

 of initial tagging. 



»ED I WHITE I BLUE ! YELL0w"~3 



I 2 



Scale in Inches 



Figure 2. Color coded back tag with needle for insertion 



In addition to tagging with the back tag, termed the "primary mark" in this 

 study, a "secondary mark" was given to each tagged animal. A 4-millimeter hole 

 was punched into one of the five tail fan sections to denote an animal that had 

 been tagged and its respective study area. This secondary mark is retained 

 through at least one molt and permits recognition of a lobster that has lost 

 its "primary mark." 



After the initial tagging was completed, periodic survey dives were made to 

 collect census data for population estimation, defining migratory behavior, 

 daytime-nighttime behavior, feeding behavior, growth, predation, and choice of 

 habitat. Tagged lobsters were recaptured in Area 3 during September to estimate 

 rate of tag loss and growth. During the remainder of the study tagged lobsters 

 were, in general, observed but not physically disturbed. Untagged lobsters from 

 Area 3 were captured, tagged, and released periodically throughout the study. 



Movements and location of lobsters by night and from long distances were 

 determined by sonic tagging- tracking techniques. The saddle-shaped sonic tags 



VI-37 



