Science and Research Program
The Atlantic Offshore Lobstermen's Association strives to meet our objectives of conservation, management, cooperation, and knowledge through our science and research program. Over the years, AOLA has partnered with various scientists, universities, governmental agencies, and managerial bodies to conduct research aimed at promoting a healthy offshore lobster population and fishery.
Current Projects
Juvenile Lobsters - AOLA is spearheading an industry effort to document small juvenile lobsters in offshore waters. This work has four (4) goals: 1) Design modified lobster traps which will attract and retain small juvenile lobsters in the offshore environment. 2) Document juvenile lobsters offshore which are of a size too small to have walked from inshore. 3) Broaden collaborations to conduct formal juvenile surveys. 4)Incorporate standardize juvenile sampling, using designed juvenile traps, into our AOLA sampling program. Part of this work is in collaboration with Dr. Win Watson at the University of New Hampshire with support from NH Sea Grant.
Lobster Genetics - AOLA is partnering with Dr. Jelle Atema of Boston University to investigate the genetic and physical similarities and differences between lobsters caught in different locations. This two year project will build on work already completed by BU in which they studied inshore lobster populations. This work may help to better align lobster fishery stock areas with naturally defined lobster populations. This work is being supported by NOAA Fisheries.
Data Survey - As part of this project, participating AOLA Members collect fishery dependent (collected during normal fishing activities) biological and catch information on the offshore lobster population.This project began as part of a series of Northeast Consortium funded grants to the partnership of the University of New Hampshire and AOLA. At the end of funding in 2004, we decided to continue collecting data, independently and at our own cost, to help bolster the limited information collected on the offshore lobster population. Our collected data have been used by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Lobster Technical Committee and Stock Assessment Committee in determining the status of the offshore lobster stock. AOLA is currently seeking funding to expand and further formalize this data collection campaign.
Recently Completed Projects
Egg Sampling - In 2008, AOLA Member's sampled egg bearing female lobsters and sent small samples of eggs to the University of New Hampshire (UNH). Researchers at UNH are conducting research to determine what percentage of female lobsters carry unfertilized, and therefore unviable, eggs and how this might relate to a limitation of large male lobsters in the population.
Juvenile Data Survey - Began in 2003, this project collected information about the amount and location of juvenile lobsters in the offshore lobster population. To this aim, participating AOLA Members were specially permitted by the National Marine Fisheries Service to fish modified, ventless, traps which target smaller lobsters. These lobsters were measured and sexed by AOLA Members and immediately returned to the ocean. 
VTR Data vs Personal Logbooks - AOLA received funds from the NMFS Science Center to compare data found in Vessel Trip Reports (VTRs) with those data collected for personal use by fishermen. The objective was to determine what data are available in personal fishermen records, in what formats these data are recorded, if these data would be made available to NMFS, and how these data aligns with data currently collected via the VTR.
Electronic Vessel Trip Report - In 2007, AOLA participated in a contract with the National Marine Fisheries Service to develop two electronic vessel trip report (eVTR) software solutions. These electronic solutions, from the companies Bluefin Data and Olrac, were created as potential future replacements to the current paper fishing reports that many federal offshore lobstermen must submit after each fishing trip. By creating electronic solutions, we hoped to increase the accuracy and quality of the information reported, as well as increase the timeliness of this informations' availability to fishery scientists and managers.
Sinking Rope - From 2003 to 2008, AOLA was engaged in a cooperative study with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF) to identify and develop durable non-buoyant groundlines for use by the offshore lobster industry. From 2003 to 2005, AOLA and MA DMF conducted tests in the laboratory using a line-testing machine designed to simulate the wear and tear lobster groundlines experience during fishing activities. AOLA Members field tested, on their vessels, those groundlines which performed best in laboratory testing. AOLA and MA DMF also partnered with Tension Technology International, a rope engineering and testing firm, to research the specific causes of damage to groundline, including damage while on the seafloor and abrasion damage from the hauling process.