An Overview of the American Lobster (Homarus americanus) Stock Enhancement Program in Southern Gaspé, QC, Canada

The Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie has undertaken a stock enhancement program to achieve higher release of hatchery-reared American lobster (Homarus americanus) in southern Gaspé, Québec, Canada. Using a method developed in Maine, lobster larvae were produced in 450 L conical tanks filled with green water and fed live Artemia. Larval growth was comparable from one year to another and larvae reached stage IV after 11-12 days at 18-20 °C. However, survival differed considerably between production batches and between years. Best survival was 76 % while no survival was often seen, for a yearly average going from 10.6 ± 1.2 % in 2012 to 16.1 ± 4.4 % in 2010. Still, using the Aquahive system (Shellfish Hatchery Systems, UK) to grow postlarvae, production has increased from 20 000 stage IV released in 2010 and 2011 to 60 000 lobsters released at stage V in 2012. The success of these releases was assessed using a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) approach. Results indicated a short-term pulse effect in 2010 and 2012, but no effect in 2011. Experimental trials are now done to stabilize survival through an improved diet and to better evaluate survival of hatchery-reared lobsters after their release.