Research Document - 2001/019
Spatial correlations in catch rates, annual landings, and lobster sizes among port clusters in the LFA 33 lobster fishery
By R. Claytor, S. Nolan, and R. Duggan
Abstract
Correlations among port clusters and groups of port clusters were used to determine associations among the lobster fisheries in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 33. Correlations among fall and spring landings indicate an association among port clusters 2-5 and 8-13. Port cluster 1 does not have strong associations with any other port cluster. Port clusters 6 and 7 appear to be an intermediate group.
Port clusters were grouped for catch rate analysis into port clusters 1-4, 5-9, and 10-13. Fall catch rates significantly increased from 1994 to 1999 in all groups of port clusters. Spring catch rates exhibited significant annual differences only for the analysis that combined port clusters 5 - 9. Correlations among fall catch rates indicate that catch rates were positively and significantly correlated only between port clusters 5-9 and 10-13 and port clusters 5-9 and 1-4. Only port clusters 5-9 and 10-13 were significantly correlated for spring catch rates.
Length frequencies examined from port sampling indicated that in general males and females caught in the spring were larger than those caught in the fall. However, there were in general no significant correlations among port clusters with respect to changes in length.
These results are consistent with the findings of previous analyses that have shown that there are fishery differences between the western and eastern portions of LFA 33. It would seem appropriate to undertake an analysis of the consequences of splitting LFA 33 into two groups that would lead to more homogenous areas for fisheries management.
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