Warmer Waters Impacting Lobsters'

American Lobsters' are the symbol of Maine. They range from different areas on the coast line such as Long Island, Northern New Jersey and even t he mouth of the Bay of Fundy in Canada. Lobsters' are cold blooded animals and their body temperatures are determined by the temperature in the water. For cold blooded animals, raises in temperature mean they focuse on respiration and less on growth, reproduction, energy storage, energy for feeding, and their immune response. In the late 1900's a disease was discovered, but not much knowledge is not really known about it, called Lobster Shell Disease. It is caused by having the salt water temperature excell over 68 degrees F for a number of days, and by a bacterial infection in the carapace. In the Massachusetts' waters it has been dramatically more common and is move toward Maine and Canada. Lobsters' are being put under physiological stress caused by their demand for oxygen because the temperature rises over 69 degrees F their resperation rate increases. They respond to temperature changes by changing their habitat. The bacterial disease also affects the lobsters' rate of growth so that they obtain sexual maturity faster. Scientists and Fisherman are working together to find more information of Lobster Shell Disease and find out possible solutions.

A suprising fact that may be confusing is that the number of lobsters' are increasing in the Gulf of Maine. Warm waters spur longer growing seasons, and cause the eggs to hatch earlier and the warm waters also provide better conditions for lobster larval.

The temperature is causing diseases to these lobsters' but it is also bringing the local fisherman bring in more money. What would you do? Think about it.