FSRS
Fishermen & Scientists Research Society
Lobster Recruitment Index Project
Project Summary
In 1999, the FSRS launched a Lobster Recruitment Index Project that includes over 150 participants from all Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, spanning from Cape Breton to the Upper Bay of Fundy (LFAs 27-35). Through this project, volunteer fishermen use two to five project traps to count, sex, and measure the size of lobster they catch in these traps and record these data in logbooks. They also note if lobsters are berried, tagged and/or v-notched. A VEMCO minilog is also attached to one of their traps to record bottom temperature throughout the season.
Objectives
American lobster is an extremely important species to the Canadian East Coast fishery. This project was established to help increase research on this species to support lobster management. The data collected through this project helps to study changes in abundance of juvenile lobsters that will be recruited into the lobster fishery in the upcoming seasons. We hope that through this project, we will be able to predict, with some degree of uncertainty, any increases or declines for the commercial lobster fishery.
Years Ran
1999-Present
Recent Results
Lobster Recruitment Trap Project – 2014-2015 Update
Lobster Recruitment Trap Project 2013-2014 Update
For additional information or to become more involved in this FSRS project, please contact the FSRS office at 902-461-8119. You can fill out an application to be reviewed using the form below.
Please note that we require your signature for the release and internal use of your information. If you fill out your application online, you will still need to email or mail us the signed release form that is found above the Online Form. This can be emailed to Stibbetts.fsrs@gmail.com or mailed to the address below.
You can also download the full application and submit to Stibbetts.fsrs@gmail.com or mailing it to us at:
PO Box 25125
Halifax, NS
B3M 4H4
Online Form
The Fishermen and Scientists Research Society (FSRS) is committed to protecting the confidentiality of the personal information of its members and stakeholders including, but not limited to, personal contact information. The FSRS shall not release personal information without the individual’s consent.
Downloadable Form
Shannon, FSRS’s Director of Operations, interacting with eager young minds at the BIO Expo 
Vice President, Hughie Boutilier, emptying a recruitment trap 
Sometimes we work during our vacations, but our LR folks make it worthwhile! 
Jade and Drew delivering new traps to our LR participants in Cape Breton 
A thermometer, but a little more heavy duty
FSRS 