NEW 

 HAMPSHIRE 



P LIBERATION SUES 



O RECOVERY SUES 



Figure 1. — Maine coasl showing the three lagging areas and recovery points of American lobsters that moved i 20 n.mi. (37.0 km). Lobsters released at Boothbay Har- 

 bor. Jonesport, and Kennebunkport, Maine, are denoted by B. J. and K in circles. 



the rate of sphyrion tag loss. Experimentation with the nylon 

 cinch-up tag revealed that this material expands upon immersion 

 in water and consequently might slip off the claw. To minimize 

 stretching, the tags were soaked in tepid water prior to applica- 

 tion. 



Publicity 



To ensure that fishermen and dealers would be informed of 

 the tagging program, posters advertising rewards for the return 

 of tagged lobsters were distributed to almost all lobster dealers 

 along the Maine coast. Cash rewards were S2.00 for return of 

 only the tag and $5.00 for lobster with tag(s) intact. Throughout 

 the study we strived to maintain the fishing community's interest 

 and cooperation through periodic press releases on the progress 

 of the tagging program and frequent contact with those dealers 

 most likely to receive tagged lobsters. 



Tagging commenced in late April 1975, which was the earliest 

 that an adequate supply of lobsters could be guaranteed, yet 

 early enough for sphyrion tags to become firmly encysted in 

 advance of the peak molting period in August and September. 

 Before each lobster was tagged, carapace length, weight, and sex 

 were recorded along with the corresponding numbers of both 

 tags. Immediately after the tags were attached, the lobster was 

 placed in a partitioned fiber glass tray, where circulating 

 seawater hastened blood coagulation. Following a short 

 recovery period ('/i-lh) lobsters not displaying normal vigor 

 were discarded while all others were transferred to individual 

 sections of 10.2 cm diameter PVC pipe (23-28 cm long) con- 

 tained in rectangular wire cages. These cages were hung over the 

 side of the boat until all lobsters (about 1 ,000) for that area were 

 tagged and could be released simultaneously. The holding 

 period ranged from 1 to 5 d. This system of isolation eliminated 

 the loss and mutilation of sphyrion tags which occurs when tag- 



