Movement and harvesting mortality of American lobsters (Homarus americanus) tagged inside and outside no-take reserves in Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland

To determine the potential effectiveness of no-take reserves in sustaining fisheries for American lobster (Homarus americanus), lobster movement and survival were quantified both within and outside of two no-take reserves in Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland, during 1997-1999. Most (58.7%) tagged lobsters were recaptured in the immediate vicinity of their original capture location. Among lobsters that moved, 77.1% traveled less than 1000 m. Lobster movement resulted in some exchange between no-take reserves and nearby harvested areas (8.7% of lobsters recaptured were in an area different from their location of tagging). Overall, little evidence was found for a relationship between lobster movement and sex, size, or time at large. Annual harvesting mortality accounted for up to 71.9% for lobsters eligible for harvest. However, many more lobsters tagged outside of no-take reserves were harvested (11.5-71.9%) than those tagged in no-take reserves (0.0-18.5%), a result of low frequency of movement between these areas. No difference was found between female and male mortality as a result of the fishery. Because the frequency of lobster emigration from reserves was relatively low and harvesting pressure outside of reserves was intense, results suggest that no-take reserves can offer increased survival to lobsters and thereby may provide benefits to fisheries.