A Fisherman‐Scientist Collaboration to Project objectives: (1) Repeat a comprehensive diver‐based visual and suction sampling survey of Re‐assess Lobster Nurseries in lobster nurseries in and ’s outer coast that had Narragansett Bay After Two Decades of been conducted by the same method in 1990 during a time of historically hig h llbtobster abbdundance. Environmental Change (2) Deploy passive cobble‐filled post‐larval collectors at the same sites, thereby enabling side‐by‐side comparisons of the two methods. Richard Wahle (UMaine School of Marine Sciences), (3) Expand the survey using both methods to locations selected by the fishing Lanny Dellinger (RI Lobstermen’s Association) , industry. Undertake a hydrographic survey of mid‐summer conditions at the Scott Olszewski (RI Division of Fish and Wildlife) surface and bottom within lobster nursery habitat.

1990 2011 2012 2011 2012

Figure 1. Lobster densities (n/m2) and size composition from diver‐based visual quadrat surveys in 1990, 2011, 2012.

6 6 1990 Figure 3. Lobster densities (n/m2) and 2011 Collectors 2012 Collectors 20 2011 20 2012 4 4 20 size composition from passive collectors

Frequency 2 Frequency 2 quency 10 10 10 (above) deployed in 2011 and 2012. Red ee N = 182 N = 60 Fr N =25 symbols denote young‐of‐year, and blue 0 0 0 0 0 1‐year‐old lobsters. 0 102030405060708090100 0 102030405060708090100 0 102030405060708090100 0 102030405060708090100 0 102030405060708090100 Carapace Length (mm) Carapace Length (mm) Carapace length (mm)

Dissolved Salinity (psu) Te mpe r atur e (oC) pH Oxygen (mg L‐1) 1990 2011 2012 28 29 30 31 32 10 15 20 25 30 468107.6 7.8 8 8.2 Popasquash Surface Surface Mt. Tom Rock Despair Island Bottom Bottom Dyer Island Fogland Fox Island Gould Island … Black Point Dutch Island Rose Is. Church Point Easton Point Fort Adams Fort Wetherill Surface Surface Southwest Point Bottom Sachuest Point Bottom Peter's Pt. 10 10 10 Land's End Castle Hill 8 8 2012 Suction Figure 2. Lobster densities 8 1990 Suction 2011 Suction Sakonnet Point 2 (n/m ) and size composition 6 6 6 Price Neck from diver‐based suction 4 4 4 Frequency sampling (above) surveys in 2 2 2 Figure 4. Surface and bottom conditions measured during 1990, 2011, 2012. Red 0 0 0 hydrographic survey of Narragansett Bay, August, 2012. 0 102030405060708090100 0 102030405060708090100 0 102030405060708090100 symbols denote young‐of‐ Carapace Length (mm) Sites listed from north to south. year, and blue 1‐year‐old lobsters.