A Review of American Lobster ( Homarus americanus ) Research Since 2000

The last quarter century has produced a remarkable amount of scientific research on the data-rich and immensely important American lobster (Homarus americanus). In fact, more than 1000 peer-reviewed papers have been published on the species since 2000, advancing all aspects of lobster science, research, and management. Many of these efforts have been motivated by large-scale alterations in ecosystems in the Northwest Atlantic due to climate change, including changes in temperature, water chemistry, ecosystem productivity, and oceanography. These changes have driven researchers to focus on the many direct and indirect impacts that climate change has had on the most valuable single-species fishery in North America. The goal of this review is to provide a summary of the major findings in lobster science over the last quarter century, with an emphasis on how anthropogenic impacts and environmental modifications might impact lobsters and the lobster fishery in the future as well as to serve as a touchstone for the next 25 years within the context of a dynamic and changing ecosystem. This review also includes a summary of important topics and ideas for further research, especially those with knowledge gaps, in the hope that it can help guide future approaches to American lobster research and further improvements to fisheries management.