eastport peninsula lobster protection project a grassroots approach to sustainable development

Eastport Peninsula Lobster Eastport Peninsula Lobster Protection ProjectProtection Project

A Grassroots Approach to A Grassroots Approach to Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development

Eastport Peninsula, Eastport Peninsula, Newfoundland and LabradorNewfoundland and Labrador

• The Eastport The Eastport Peninsula is Peninsula is located on the located on the Northeast coast of Northeast coast of the province, about the province, about three hours drive three hours drive from St. John’s, from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Newfoundland and Labrador.Labrador.

Eastport Peninsula, Eastport Peninsula, Newfoundland and LabradorNewfoundland and Labrador

• Waters surrounding the Eastport Peninsula Waters surrounding the Eastport Peninsula are host to a wide range of:are host to a wide range of:– Ground fishGround fish– Pelagic fishPelagic fish– ShellfishShellfish– Marine mammals, andMarine mammals, and– Aquatic plantsAquatic plants

The Need for the Lobster InitiativeThe Need for the Lobster Initiative

• In July 1992, In July 1992, people in the people in the fishing industry fishing industry were advised that were advised that there was a there was a moratorium on the moratorium on the fishing of cod in fishing of cod in the province. the province.


• For many fishers, For many fishers, cod was an cod was an important source of important source of income, but not income, but not necessarily the necessarily the only species that only species that they caught.they caught.


• The other species The other species now became much now became much more important to more important to them because it them because it meant that they meant that they could continue to could continue to provide for their provide for their families. families.


• A number of fishers A number of fishers on the Eastport on the Eastport Peninsula had Peninsula had fished for lobster. fished for lobster. During the 1990's, During the 1990's, the lobster fishery the lobster fishery became extremely became extremely important for them.important for them.


• A number of fishers from across the A number of fishers from across the province had recognized the problems province had recognized the problems with the cod fishery even before scientists with the cod fishery even before scientists and politicians had arrived at their and politicians had arrived at their conclusions in 1992.conclusions in 1992.


• The fishers of the Eastport Peninsula had The fishers of the Eastport Peninsula had learned from the lessons with the cod learned from the lessons with the cod fishery. fishery.

• Something had to be done to ensure that Something had to be done to ensure that the same thing didn’t happen with the the same thing didn’t happen with the lobster stocks.lobster stocks.

• A number of significant observations were A number of significant observations were made during the 1990's which led them to made during the 1990's which led them to action.action.


• These included:These included:– Egg-bearing Egg-bearing

females were the females were the future stocks of future stocks of lobsterlobster..


– Small lobsters Small lobsters would create more would create more revenue if they revenue if they were allowed to were allowed to grow to maturity.grow to maturity.


• There was illegal harvesting of lobsters by There was illegal harvesting of lobsters by non-fishers, including:non-fishers, including:– Scuba DiversScuba Divers– Recreational BoatersRecreational Boaters– Cabin OwnersCabin Owners

– Coastal ResidentsCoastal Residents


• There was illegal harvesting of lobsters by There was illegal harvesting of lobsters by fishers, including:fishers, including:– Fishermen without lobster licenses.Fishermen without lobster licenses.– Licensed lobster fishermen:Licensed lobster fishermen:

• Removal of undersized lobsters;Removal of undersized lobsters;

• Removal of egg-bearing females;Removal of egg-bearing females;

• Use of extra traps beyond the legal limit;Use of extra traps beyond the legal limit;

• Fishing out of season.Fishing out of season.


• Some of these harmful activities had been Some of these harmful activities had been carried out for a long time.carried out for a long time.

• It would be hard to change the practices of It would be hard to change the practices of some people.some people.


• The support of fishers and the community The support of fishers and the community would be needed:would be needed:– to prevent a major decline in the lobster to prevent a major decline in the lobster

stocks, and stocks, and – to assist the stock in growing to a level which to assist the stock in growing to a level which

would sustain a profitable fishery for many would sustain a profitable fishery for many years to come.years to come.

The StrategyThe Strategy

• Once a significant number of fishers Once a significant number of fishers realized that action was necessary to realized that action was necessary to protect the area’s lobster fishery, they protect the area’s lobster fishery, they sought the help of fisheries scientists with sought the help of fisheries scientists with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.


• The fishers knew what they wanted to do, The fishers knew what they wanted to do, but needed advice on how to achieve it.but needed advice on how to achieve it.

• Fortunately, they got the support and Fortunately, they got the support and involvement of Dr. Gerry Ennis, a DFO involvement of Dr. Gerry Ennis, a DFO scientist who recognized their scientist who recognized their determination.determination.


• Dr. Ennis Dr. Ennis suggested some suggested some things that the things that the fishermen could do fishermen could do to accomplish the to accomplish the goals that they goals that they wanted to achieve.wanted to achieve.


• Some of the suggestions included:Some of the suggestions included:– Mark egg-bearing females by v-notching.Mark egg-bearing females by v-notching.– No Egg-bearing females and/or v-notched No Egg-bearing females and/or v-notched

lobsters would be taken.lobsters would be taken.– Minimum carapace size would be increased Minimum carapace size would be increased

from 81 mm to 82 mm.from 81 mm to 82 mm.– Detailed log books would be kept.Detailed log books would be kept.

The Scientific ResearchThe Scientific Research

• The scientific research to be carried out The scientific research to be carried out along with the measures to be used by the along with the measures to be used by the fishers was extremely important:fishers was extremely important: – lobster fishers were being asked to throw back lobster fishers were being asked to throw back

lobsters that they might have otherwise kept - lobsters that they might have otherwise kept - and that represented income. and that represented income.

– they needed to be reassured that these they needed to be reassured that these measures would have a positive impact on measures would have a positive impact on future landings.future landings.

The Scientific ResearchThe Scientific Research

• The scientific data from the research The scientific data from the research component would be helpful to these component would be helpful to these fishers and to others in the province and fishers and to others in the province and the Atlantic region.the Atlantic region.

• It would help them recognize the benefits It would help them recognize the benefits of the proposed lobster protection of the proposed lobster protection measures.measures.

The Eastport Peninsula Lobster The Eastport Peninsula Lobster Protection Committee - EPLPCProtection Committee - EPLPC

• The The Eastport Peninsula Lobster Protection Eastport Peninsula Lobster Protection Committee (EPLPC)Committee (EPLPC) was formed in 1995 by was formed in 1995 by fishers on the Eastport Peninsula of fishers on the Eastport Peninsula of northeastern Newfoundland, Canada, to northeastern Newfoundland, Canada, to address concerns about harvest declines address concerns about harvest declines in the lobster fishery.in the lobster fishery.


• About the EPLPC:About the EPLPC:– Unanimous support by license holders.Unanimous support by license holders.– Elected representatives from each of the 7 Elected representatives from each of the 7

communities on the Eastport Peninsula.communities on the Eastport Peninsula.– ““Fishermen watching Fishermen” – a self-Fishermen watching Fishermen” – a self-

policing set-up.policing set-up.– Initiated prior to the 1995 lobster fishing Initiated prior to the 1995 lobster fishing

season.season.


• The rules weren’t imposed by DFO.The rules weren’t imposed by DFO.

• Fishers themselves helped to create the Fishers themselves helped to create the rules so as to secure the supply of lobsters rules so as to secure the supply of lobsters for themselves and their descendants who for themselves and their descendants who wanted to pursue this fishery.wanted to pursue this fishery.


• Initially the EPLPC reduced sources of Initially the EPLPC reduced sources of illegal lobster harvesting including: illegal lobster harvesting including: – harvesting of undersized animals and egg-harvesting of undersized animals and egg-

bearing females, bearing females, – extra traps beyond the legal limit, out of extra traps beyond the legal limit, out of

season fishing, and season fishing, and – poaching by licensed fishers and members of poaching by licensed fishers and members of

the local community.the local community.

A Plan for Responsible FishingA Plan for Responsible Fishing

• In 1996, the EPLPC began a voluntary v-In 1996, the EPLPC began a voluntary v-notching program:notching program:– Female egg-bearing lobsters are marked by Female egg-bearing lobsters are marked by

creating a v-notch at the end of their tail and creating a v-notch at the end of their tail and released. released.

– By making this possession of such breeding By making this possession of such breeding females illegal, the EPLPC sought to enhance females illegal, the EPLPC sought to enhance egg production.egg production.

– From 1996 to 2000, more than 4000 lobsters From 1996 to 2000, more than 4000 lobsters have been marked and released.have been marked and released.


• Fishers voluntarily keep detailed log books Fishers voluntarily keep detailed log books which record information about:which record information about:– the number of egg-bearing females; the number of egg-bearing females; – v-notched females and undersized lobsters v-notched females and undersized lobsters

which are captured and released; andwhich are captured and released; and– details about the location where the lobsters details about the location where the lobsters

were captured.were captured.


• Information is also Information is also gathered from gathered from tagged lobsters tagged lobsters which meet the which meet the legal legal requirementsrequirements and and the the additional additional voluntary voluntary requirementsrequirements adopted by the adopted by the Eastport fishers.Eastport fishers.


• This information gives scientists and This information gives scientists and fishers important information about the fishers important information about the migratory patterns of lobsters.migratory patterns of lobsters.


• In 1997, following these successes, the In 1997, following these successes, the EPLPC entered into a Memorandum Of EPLPC entered into a Memorandum Of Agreement with the Agreement with the Department of Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to establish a to establish a special lobster management area.special lobster management area.


• This area consisted of two zones:This area consisted of two zones: – inner zone: fishers from the Eastport Peninsula inner zone: fishers from the Eastport Peninsula

were allowed to fish, and were allowed to fish, and – overlap zone: fishers from Eastport and fishers overlap zone: fishers from Eastport and fishers

who traditionally fished in these areas would who traditionally fished in these areas would share the lobster resource.share the lobster resource.


• Fishers from Eastport were not permitted Fishers from Eastport were not permitted to fish beyond the overlap zone, and to fish beyond the overlap zone, and fishers from elsewhere were not permitted fishers from elsewhere were not permitted to fish the inner zone.to fish the inner zone.


• In addition, within In addition, within the inner zone the the inner zone the EPLPC/DFO EPLPC/DFO established two established two fishing fishing Closed Closed Areas (CAs).Areas (CAs).


• The objective of the CAs was to enhance The objective of the CAs was to enhance egg production by protecting the lobster egg production by protecting the lobster resource therein.resource therein.


• Field studies Field studies conducted in these conducted in these CAs have:CAs have:– provided a baseline provided a baseline

to assess future to assess future changes in changes in population size and population size and structure, and structure, and

– shown an increase shown an increase proportion of berried proportion of berried females within CAs.females within CAs.


• As well, these studies will determine:As well, these studies will determine:– the capacity of CAs to increase egg proportion the capacity of CAs to increase egg proportion

and juvenile survival, andand juvenile survival, and– whether they act as sources of new lobsters for whether they act as sources of new lobsters for

nearby fished areas through natural nearby fished areas through natural emigration.emigration.


• Information from detailed fisher log books Information from detailed fisher log books and the field program was compiled and and the field program was compiled and analyzed by:analyzed by:– students at high school in Eastport; students at high school in Eastport; – the Department of Fisheries and Oceans;the Department of Fisheries and Oceans;– Parks Canada; and Parks Canada; and – Memorial University.Memorial University.


• This initiative will likely This initiative will likely foster community and foster community and stakeholder stakeholder participation in participation in ongoing fishery ongoing fishery monitoring and monitoring and management in lobster management in lobster fisheries elsewhere, fisheries elsewhere, and perhaps for other and perhaps for other commercial species.commercial species.

Some Scientific EvidenceSome Scientific Evidence

• How far do lobsters travel?How far do lobsters travel?– Tagging studies have been done at various Tagging studies have been done at various

place in Newfoundland to determine the extent place in Newfoundland to determine the extent of lobster movements. of lobster movements.

– Results have shown that the shape of the Results have shown that the shape of the coastline and adjacent bottom have a coastline and adjacent bottom have a significant effect on the movement of lobsters significant effect on the movement of lobsters in a given area. in a given area.


• St. Chad’s area of Bonavista Bay:St. Chad’s area of Bonavista Bay:– very irregular coast with many steep headlands.very irregular coast with many steep headlands.– lobster grounds are a very narrow band of rocky lobster grounds are a very narrow band of rocky

bottom that slopes very steeply from the shore. bottom that slopes very steeply from the shore. – on average, tagged lobsters at large for about one on average, tagged lobsters at large for about one

year at St. Chad’s were recaptured 0.4 km from year at St. Chad’s were recaptured 0.4 km from where they had been initially caught and tagged. where they had been initially caught and tagged.

– over 50% were captured in the immediate over 50% were captured in the immediate vicinity; about 90% of the remainder had moved vicinity; about 90% of the remainder had moved less than 1 km. The greatest distance recorded less than 1 km. The greatest distance recorded was 2.8 km.was 2.8 km.


• Bellburns area of the northern Bellburns area of the northern peninsula:peninsula:– coast is nearly straight and the lobster grounds coast is nearly straight and the lobster grounds

are a wide band of rocky bottom that slopes are a wide band of rocky bottom that slopes gently from the shore. gently from the shore.

– Here the average distance after one year at Here the average distance after one year at large was 2.5 km; 39% were recaptured in the large was 2.5 km; 39% were recaptured in the immediate vicinity and 20% of the remainder immediate vicinity and 20% of the remainder had moved no more than 2 km. had moved no more than 2 km.

– The greatest distance recorded was 26.4 km.The greatest distance recorded was 26.4 km.


• What would be the fate of 81-82 mm What would be the fate of 81-82 mm carapace length (CL) lobsters that would carapace length (CL) lobsters that would have to be thrown back if the minimum have to be thrown back if the minimum legal size in the Newfoundland fishery was legal size in the Newfoundland fishery was increased from 81 mm to 83 mm to match increased from 81 mm to 83 mm to match the U.S. size limit? the U.S. size limit?


• Biological models for Newfoundland Biological models for Newfoundland lobsters were developed specifically to lobsters were developed specifically to analyze:analyze:– yield per recruit; and yield per recruit; and – egg production per recruit.egg production per recruit.


• The models used a complete set of the The models used a complete set of the necessary biological relationships that necessary biological relationships that were obtained in studies of lobsters at were obtained in studies of lobsters at Arnold’s Cove, Placentia Bay.Arnold’s Cove, Placentia Bay.

• Results from these models would vary Results from these models would vary somewhat using biological relationships somewhat using biological relationships for other areas.for other areas.


• However, the example given for Arnold’s However, the example given for Arnold’s Cove can be taken as generally Cove can be taken as generally representative of Newfoundland lobster representative of Newfoundland lobster populations.populations.


• The yield per recruit model was run with The yield per recruit model was run with the following starting population:the following starting population:– 1000 males and 1000 females (500 each at 81 1000 males and 1000 females (500 each at 81

and 82 mm CL for both sexes)and 82 mm CL for both sexes)– a minimum legal size of 83 mm, and a minimum legal size of 83 mm, and – an exploitation rate of 85%.an exploitation rate of 85%.


• Results of the yield per recruit model:Results of the yield per recruit model:– 2000 lobsters at 81 and 82mm would weigh 2000 lobsters at 81 and 82mm would weigh

867 kg (1911 lbs).867 kg (1911 lbs).– If returned to the water, 1759 would reach, If returned to the water, 1759 would reach,

over the next several years, a total weight of over the next several years, a total weight of 1143 kg (2529 lbs).1143 kg (2529 lbs).

– There would be a 12% reduction in numbers There would be a 12% reduction in numbers due to natural mortality rate but a 32% due to natural mortality rate but a 32% increase in the total weight that could be increase in the total weight that could be harvested.harvested.


• The egg per recruit model was run with a The egg per recruit model was run with a starting population of 1000 females (500 starting population of 1000 females (500 each at 81 and 82 mm CL).each at 81 and 82 mm CL).


• Results of the egg per recruit model:Results of the egg per recruit model:– If harvested at an 85% exploitation rate, they If harvested at an 85% exploitation rate, they

would produce about 1 million eggs. would produce about 1 million eggs. – However, if the size limit were increased to 83 However, if the size limit were increased to 83

mm, the same 1000 females would produce mm, the same 1000 females would produce over 7 million eggs before being harvested.over 7 million eggs before being harvested.

Other ObservationsOther Observations

Growth of Lobsters in a Single MoltGrowth of Lobsters in a Single Molt

Prices Based on Average 2000 Price Per Prices Based on Average 2000 Price Per PoundPound

SexSex Size/Value Size/Value

Before MoltBefore Molt Size/Value Size/Value

After MoltAfter Molt Increase in Increase in

% Size and % Size and

$ Value $ Value

(2000 Prices)(2000 Prices)

Male Male 81 mm CL81 mm CL

435 grams435 grams

$5.27 $5.27

94 mm CL94 mm CL

680 grams680 grams

$8.24$8.24

56%56%

$2.97 $2.97

Female Female 81 mm CL81 mm CL

410 grams410 grams

$4.97 $4.97

91 mm CL91 mm CL

560 grams560 grams

$6.78 $6.78

37%37%

$1.82 $1.82


Eastport Peninsula Lobster StatisticsEastport Peninsula Lobster Statistics

Based on Information from Three EnterprisesBased on Information from Three Enterprises YearYear LandingsLandings # Traps# Traps WeeksWeeks Average Average

Per TrapPer TrapAverage Average Per Trap Per Trap

Per Per WeekWeek

19901990 5088 lbs5088 lbs 750750 1010 6.65 lbs6.65 lbs 0.67 lbs0.67 lbs





• Indicators of Success:Indicators of Success:– Significant increase in the number of Significant increase in the number of

undersized lobster.undersized lobster.– In 1996, a 10% to 40% increase in catch.In 1996, a 10% to 40% increase in catch.– Retention of spawny female lobsters virtually Retention of spawny female lobsters virtually

eliminated.eliminated.– Use of untagged traps virtually eliminated.Use of untagged traps virtually eliminated.

SummarySummary

• Some outcomes may take some time to Some outcomes may take some time to become obvious:become obvious:– It may take up to 10 years for a lobster to It may take up to 10 years for a lobster to

reach the level of maturity required for it to be reach the level of maturity required for it to be legally caught.legally caught.

– Since the v-notching part of the initiative only Since the v-notching part of the initiative only began in 1996, it may be 2004 or later before began in 1996, it may be 2004 or later before the benefits of this action are seen.the benefits of this action are seen.