injuries resulting in claw loss are often associated with water temperature, 

 handling by lobstermen, trap set over days, and physical condition (i.e. 

 its nearness to molt) of the lobster (Pecci et al. 1978) . 

 Molting Patterns 



Molting was first noted in May, although at low levels ( < 1%) (Fig. 

 6). Incidence of molters reached a peak in June (6-8%), coinciding with 

 bottom water temperatures of 14-16 C. Subsequently, molting continued 

 at a low level (1-4%) from July to October and ceased in January. Although 

 Lund et al. (1973) and Russel et al. (1978) reported a distinct autumn 

 molt, most lobsters in the Millstone Point area apparently molt in June 

 or July. A single molting peak per year has been described in Maine and 

 in offshore waters (Dow 1966; Skud and Perkins 1969; Krouse 1973). 

 Movement 



The majority (95.2%) of our recaptures and commercial returns 

 (95.0%) were caught at the station where they were released (Fig. 7). 

 These data support the conclusion that inshore lobsters tend to form 

 localized populations (Wilder and Murray 1958; Wilder 1963; Cooper 

 1970). However, at the Effluent station (1976-77) only 58% of the 

 lobsters released there were subsequently recaptured there (Fig. 8). 

 The lobsters that did move from the Effluent station moved to the nearby 

 Jordan Cove (30.7%) and Intake (8.6%) stations, suggesting movement of 

 lobsters in and out of the discharge area, possibly for feeding or 

 temperature avoidance. Additional thermal loading by Unit 3 may increase 

 lobster movement between Jordan Cove and Intake for the same reasons 

 lobsters moved from the effluent. Lobsters that move outside our area > 

 5 mi. tend to move easterly as suggested by Lund et al. (1973), several 

 were caught on the outer continental slope, Hudson and Block canyons. 



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