range of values reported since this investigation was initiated. The 

 percentage of legal-sized individuals in our catch and the total landings 

 reported in 1983 for the state of Connecticut were greater in 1983 than in 

 1982. This increase reflects the large number of prerecruits (one molt 

 from legal size) observed in the 1982 catch. 



The 1983 values for sex ratios, growth rates, number of berried 

 females, incidence of culled lobsters, and molting patterns were similar to 

 previous years and within the range reported throughout the northeastern 

 coast of North America. Results indicate that the local population was 

 highly exploited, with the commercial and recreational catch being highly 

 dependent on the prerecruit size class. 



Since lobsters are not fully vulnerable to our traps until at least 

 year 4 and because they require 5-6 years to reach legal size, an impact on 

 the larval and juvenile stages would not be evident until individuals grow 

 to the size at which they become vulnerable to our sampling gear ( > 70mm 

 CL) . Therefore, it is essential that we continue monitoring this population 

 to evaluate changes in the population during two and three unit operation. 

 Potential changes in the lobster population due to the start-up and operation 

 of Unit 3 in 1986 will be detected through the analysis of changes in the 

 basic population parameters now being collected (population size, growth, 

 movement, size structure, sex ratios, the number of egg-bearing females and 

 culls). In addition to these population parameters, a lobster larvae study 

 will be initiated in 1984 to provide more quantitative entrainment estimates. 

 The stability of these parameters during Unit 1 and 2 operation and after 

 the start up of Unit 3 will demonstrate the effects (if any) of operating 

 plants on Millstone Point. 



SUMMARY 



1. The 1983 total catch (6376) was within the range of values reported 

 since wire pots were first used 1978-82 (4266-9109) . 



2. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) per 100 pot hauls was 146 for all sizes 

 of lobsters and 15 for legal-sized lobsters. 



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