Lobster Recruitment Data from Nova Scotia Fishermen

More than 120 commercial fishers along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia collected juvenile lobster data using scientific project traps. The project records lobster count, sex, length, egg presence, tags, v-notch status, and bottom temperature. Data is managed by the Fishermen and Scientist Research Society with funding from Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Use Cases

• Analyze the relationship between bottom temperature and juvenile lobster count across fishing areas.
• Model lobster length distribution segmented by sex and the presence of eggs or v-notches.
• Study recruitment patterns by correlating lobster count data with specific Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs).
• Assess sex ratios and the prevalence of egg-bearing lobsters in trap catches.

Strengths

• Data collection involves more than 120 participating commercial fishers, providing broad spatial coverage.
• Sampling includes multiple biologically relevant variables: lobster count, sex, length, egg presence, tags, and v-notch.
• Bottom temperature is monitored for the entire lobster season using in-trap recorders.
• Project design was informed by LFA Advisory Committees and DFO Science consultation.

Limitations

• The exact number of rows (traps or observations) and columns (variables) is not specified in the input.
• Spatial coverage excludes Lobster Fishing Area 28, which has not participated to date.
• The sampling effort (number of SPTs per fisher) varies by LFA based on advisory committee decisions.

Provenance

Source

Fishermen and Scientist Research Society (FSRS), with funding from Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Collection Method

Commercial fishers deployed 2-5 scientific project traps (SPTs) per vessel during the regular season to catch juvenile lobsters, recording biological data and bottom temperature.

Time Range

Covers at least the 2020 lobster season; specific start year not provided.

Freshness

Data was published in November 2020, with a platform record last updated in March 2026.

Geography

Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, covering Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) 27 to 35, excluding LFA 28.