Construction of Artificial Lobster Reefs

As part of a strategy to enhance lobster production and a continuation of a project done by Transport Canada at the Iles-de-la-Madeleine Fisherman’s Association (APPIM) request, we initiated a four year project in 2010 aimed at constructing 21 artificial lobster reefs. The project site was an area known as «Les Demoiselles» in the Baie de Plaisance, Iles-de-la-Madeleine. The site is well known as the main area for lobster larvae deposition. The objective was to measure the potential of the reefs to attract lobster larvae and to enhance production by increasing favorable habitat in the target area during lobster deposition. The design was the same used by Transport Canada in a habitat compensation project done in 2009 and essentially based on joint recommendations made by APPIM and the Department of Fisheries & Oceans. Three categories of rock were used in order to provide appropriate habitat for the future growth of the lobsters. The structures were 20 meters long by 10 meters wide and consisted of sections composed of three rock categories i.e. 100-200 mm, 200-400 mm and 400-750 mm.