Growth 



Information obtained on growth, the increase in carapace length at molting, and 

 the frequency of molting during this 6-month study is minimal. Because of the 

 high rate of population turnover, only six recaptured lobsters could be recog- 

 nized as having molted. The percent increase in carapace length for these six 

 lobsters (sexes combined) is shown in Figure 11, A significant decrease in 

 relative growth increment with an increase in size is indicated. Additional 



PRE-MOLT CAR 



Figure 11. Relationship between percent increase in carapace length and 

 pre-molt carapace length 



data are obviously needed to substantiate this relationship. The time intervals 

 between initial tagging and recapture ranged from 38 to 127 days. The 60 mm 

 lobster that increased in carapace length by 187o (Figure 11) and the 81 mm lob- 

 ster by 147o were at large for 60 and 54 days, probably insufficient time inter- 

 vals to have molted twice. Information on frequency of molting is non-existent. 



CONCLUSIONS 



The following conclusions pertain to the scientific findings of the 6-month 

 TEKTITE II portion of a 1-year study on the ecology and population dynamics of 

 the spiny lobster. 



1. Multiple and single census population estimates indicated that the 

 population size in each of the four study areas remained relatively constant 

 with time or decreased slightly from April through October. 



2. Estimating population size using the diver-total count method results 

 in negatively biased or minimal estimates of N. Diver counts do provide a mean- 

 ingful estimate of changes in relative abundance. 



VI-55 



