Efforts to develop a unified management program for American lob- 

 ster ( Homarus americanus ) were initiated in early 1972 as an attempt to stem 

 further decline in stock abundance and to improve economic and social resource 

 values^ By August, the Northeast Marine Fisheries Council, composed of fishery 

 administrators and scientists from eleven coastal states (Maine through North 

 Carolina) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) had met and launched 

 a comprehensive State- Federal lobster management program. Such a program was 

 needed to coordinate the development and implementation of coastwide management 

 practices to ensure a viable fishery and to enhance the socio-economic benefits 

 obtainable from the resourceo 



In August, 1972, two committees were formed to provide continuity 

 of effort and effectiveness in lobster management deliberations. The American 

 Lobster Subcouncil, composed of State fishery administrators and the Regional 

 Director of NMFS, was established to provide overall program guidance and to 

 facilitate implementation of decisions through existing legal and institutional 

 channels. A second committee, the Lobster Scientific Committee, consisting of 

 scientists from each state and from NMFS, was founded to formulate lobster 

 management plans and to coordinate program operations. The Lobster Scientific 

 Committee is responsible for recommending to the Subcouncil those practices 

 considered necessary for the efficient and rational management of lobsters <> 

 Coastwide lobster management precepts enacted upon in August, 1972 included 

 proposals regarding controlling total fishing effort on the resource, law en- 

 forcement, minimum legal carapace length, maximum size limit, possession of 

 egg-bearing lobsters, prohibiting the notching of female lobsters, use of 

 escape vents on lobster traps, and licensing. 



3.4 What are the major limitations on productivity ? 



The major limitations on secondary production are loss of habitat and 

 general deterioration of water quality. Biological communities develop along 

 with their environment, and reflect its conditions, resources, and variability. 

 Many changes in water brought about by man's polluting activities have 

 adversely endangered or altered the existence or quality of aquatic life. 

 Changes in sediments, oxygen levels, and quantities of harmful wastes, due to 

 dredging and waste disposal, effect a reduction in the abundance of certain 

 macro-algae and benthic animals, and may cause significant changes in fish 

 fauna and fisheries. The effects of waste disposal on benthic environments can 

 extend beyond the immediate impact areas for considerable distances. Component 

 conti:.,i'inants such as heavy metals and coliform bacteria may show distribution 

 pattr-rns. Disposal areas usually show reduced species diversity, and even small 

 organisms known to be extremely tolerant and resistent to the effects of 

 polluted conditions, may be found in diminished numbers. Crabs and lobster in 

 waste disposal areas appear to be highly susceptible to disease, ulcerations, 

 shell erosion, gill tissue erosion, and fouling and necrosis of gill tissue, 

 all of which probably lead to increased mortalities in these areas. Finfish 

 also appear to be susceptible to disease, particularly types of fin rot. It 

 is possible that heavy metals may contribute to this susceptibility. 



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