How to Capture Lobsters for Scientific Purposes
- 1). Wear appropriate scuba gear for cold, deep-water dives to mature lobster spots, or use snorkeling gear in shallow juvenile lobster areas. Make sure to put on thick protective marine gloves to avoid getting pinched by lobsters.
- 2). Attach a long rope to the lobster cages or traps and put a buoy on the surface end. Drop cages into the water and haul them down to collect and carry your selected lobster specimens.
- 3). Carry a bright halogen flashlight so you can readily spot the lobsters. Use a narrow focused type flashlight in dark or murky waters, or a broad-focused lamp face in shallow or clear waters.
- 4). Check rocks on the seabed floor that indicate lobsters are underneath. Look for telltale signs that indicate a recent disturbance such as a fresh pile of small rocks that lack debris next to larger rocks. Flip over rocks to reveal live lobsters.
- 5). Approach lobsters and grab them on the sides of the carapace, which is the hard shell above the segmented tail portion. Use your thumb at one side and your fingers at the other side and grip tightly. The tail will curl inward toward their head in a defensive pose as you lift them up.
- 6). Extend your arm and hold them out away from your body. Keep a watchful eye on them, especially the front claws.
- 7). Place lobsters inside the cages or boxes, one by one, taking care not to damage them. Fill the boxes to capacity as desired.
- 8). Swim up to the water level and locate all buoys. Either move the boat to them for hauling or transport your line to the boat, depending on your strength and that of helpers. Lift cages out of the water and perform your measurements, tagging or notching. Keep lobsters in a seawater pool or bucket if they require transport to the laboratory for additional testing.
