MASS WATERS VENTLESS TRAP SURVEY - VOLUNTARY

THIS SURVEY IS NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE MAJOR DMF VENTLESS TRAP STUDY IN MASS BAY/BUZZARDS BAY.

   WE HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO COUNT THE NUMBER OF "SHORT" LOBSTERS WHERE WE FISH AND HAVE THAT COUNT IN THE STOCK ASSESSMENT SOMEHOW!  NOW IS OUR CHANCE!!  LIMITED AS IT MAY BE, IT'S A GOOD START!  THIS INFORMATION COULD BE SOME OF THE MOST USEFUL DATA FOR RECRUITMENT IN THE STOCK ASSESSMENT.  THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROJECT.

DETAILS:

• THIS WILL BE ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.

• YOU WILL SELECT THE LOCATION FOR THE STUDY TRAP(S) IN MASSACHUSETTS WATERS.

• THEY MUST REMAIN IN THAT SITE FOR THE DURATION.

• DURATION:  (THIS IS WHERE YOUR DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT COMES INTO PLAY).  AT LEAST 6-9 MONTHS PER YEAR (12 MONTHS IF YOU WISH) AND WE HAVE TO DO THIS FOR YEARS! THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET VALUABLE DATA.  THE CANADIANS HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 10 YEARS, THE MAINERS, 5 YEARS.  IT'S OUR TURN TO BE INCLUDED AND DMF SAID IT WOULD BE INCLUDED!

• THE WAY IT WILL WORK----YOU WILL BE GIVEN ONE STANDARD TRAP, THE SAME ONE BEING USED FROM CANADA TO MAINE.  YOU WILL SET THIS TRAP WITH TWO OF YOUR OWN TRAPS - ONE WITH THE VENTS DISABLED AND THE OTHER WITH VENTS.  THIS THREE-POT TRAWL (ONLY THREE POTS, NOT ANY MORE) WILL REMAIN IN THE EXACT LOCATION.  YOU WILL BE GIVEN A GAUGE AND LOG BOOK.  YOU WILL RECORD INFO EACH TIME YOU HAUL THAT THREE-TRAP TRAWL.  AT LEAST THREE TIMES PER MONTH IF POSSIBLE.

• THIS COULD BE ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE CO-OPERATIVE EFFORTS WITHIN THE LOBSTER INDUSTRY.

• SERIOUSLY CONSIDER IT - EVEN IF YOU MIGHT BE INVOLVED IN THE DMF MASS BAY/BUZZARDS BAY PROJECT STUDY.

• IF INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING, PLEASE CONTACT THE MLA OFFICE AT 781-545-6984 OR DAVE CASONI AT 508-224-3038