SPACE, DENSITY AND GROWTH OF THE LOBSTER (Homarus americanus)

Area required for unrestricted growth of large juvenile lobsters held individually is estimated at 75 times carapace length squared, or 75 (CL)2. Growth of lobsters held individually in 55 (CL)2 was compared to growth in 18 (CL)2, and to growth of lobsters in communal tanks of equivalent size and stocking density. In 55 (CL)2, length increase averaged 14.3%, vs 10.3% for 18 (CL)2. Increases in communal tanks were comparable, indicating space and density have similar impact on linear increase. For lobsters between 60 and 80 mm carapace length, maximum stocking density was estimated at 1.0 kg/m2. Injury was negligible in the communal tanks at 0.9 kg/m2, but excessive at 2.5 kg/m2. Cheliped immobilization reduces undesirable effects of communal holding provided recommended stocking density is maintained.