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Fishery Bulletin 95(3), 1997 
Materials and methods 
Tagged lobsters were released at three specific loca- 
tions along the eastern shore of Cape Cod (Fig. 1). 
Lobsters used in tagging were collected in the im- 
mediate vicinity of each release station and released 
within a day of capture. At station 1 (Provincetown), 
tagged lobsters were liberated in the periods 21-25 
July 1969; 6-9 July 1970; and 23-25 June 1971. Lob- 
sters used in the tagging at station 1 were collected 
by SCUBA teams that attempted to capture all lob- 
sters observed on each dive. At station 2 (Truro) and 
station 3 (Eastham), tagged lobsters were liberated 
over the period 20 July to 18 August 1970. Lobsters 
used at these two stations were collected in the traps 
of a local commercial fisherman. 
Sphyrion anchor tags were used. These consisted 
of a coded polyvinyl-chloride-tubing pennant con- 
nected by a monofilament thread to a stainless steel 
anchor. The anchor was inserted in the lobsters with 
a hypodermic needle through the membrane connect- 
ing the carapace and first abdominal segment and 
implanted in dorsal extensor musculature below the 
carapace hypodermis as described in Cooper (1970). 
The implanted tag can endure successive molts. 
A reward of $1 was paid for each tag, as well as 
the market value of each tagged lobster returned with 
information on the date and location of recapture. Dur- 
ing 1971, the reward was increased to $5 for each tagged 
lobster submitted for examination, and the fisherman 
was permitted to retain possession of the lobster. 
Distance traveled by recaptured lobsters was de- 
termined as the shortest distance, avoiding land- 
mass, from point of release to point of recapture. 
Direction of travel was computed to the nearest 0. 1 
degree true north. 
Results 
A total of 1,237 tagged lobsters with carapace length 
(CL) range of 48 to 198 mm (mean CL of 104 mm), 
Map of northeast coast of the United States and Canada showing eastern Cape Cod, Massachusetts, release stations for tagged 
American lobster, Homarus americanus. 
