The Secret Life Of Lobsters

[jimbob]

Just finished Trevor Corson's book The Secret Life Of Lobsters. Interesting stuff. I'm not sure how much of the American Lobster's lifestyle relates to our lobsters but reading the book certainly made me appreciate the lobster encounters I've had. It also made me re-evaluate my opinion on lobster kidnap. I've never grabbed one myself, I don't mind others doing it, but I'd always assumed that from a sustainability point of view the bigger the better. I've even felt slightly "sniffy" about people appearing on boats with barely over the limit sized Lobsters. However, it seems that I'm a know nothing idiot.(It always surprises me that it surprises me) In the book there is an argument for a maximum landing size. Apparently the Female American Lobsters produce more eggs the bigger they get and the larger males are important for breeding. The dominant males grab the best shelters then "bully" all other lobsters in the area into submission and the females queue up to breed with it. Weird stuff, but made me feel slightly ashamed that I'd assumed big was best in the grabbing grabbers stakes. I had a look at the DEFRA website and was very surprised to see the same arguments that form the narrative of the book are taking place in Britain today. Anyway if you're interested in Lobsters it's well worth reading. Any book recommendations along similar lines would be much appreciated.

[Lou]

Oooh, thanks for the tip. I might see if I can pick this up for a bit of different reading.

[Gary K]

Oooh, thanks for the tip. I might see if I can pick this up for a bit of different reading.

yeah, you could lend it to milldog

[Lou]

yeah, you could lend it to milldog

It'd take too long to explain that he should read it and not use it to hit things over the head with

[Dive_Cookie]

Very interesting! Thanks for that info.

[Lofty]

Hi Jim,

You might want to have a read of this:

Long time no see. Sounds like an interesting read! I am currently carrying out some lobster-based research of my own, having recently taken an interest in lobster cryogenics. I have a couple of the chappies in stasis at the moment in the freezer. I'll let you know if I can bring them back from their deep sleep.

Safe diving mate, might see you around soon!

Andy

[Adrian Kelland]

Hi Jim,

You might want to have a read of this:

Long time no see. Sounds like an interesting read! I am currently carrying out some lobster-based research of my own, having recently taken an interest in lobster cryogenics. I have a couple of the chappies in stasis at the moment in the freezer. I'll let you know if I can bring them back from their deep sleep.

Safe diving mate, might see you around soon!

Andy

I've done some cryogenic studies too. They don't seem to wake up again. Back to the old school reports I guess;

Must try harder

So when I take a male, am I smartening up the gene pool, and making it easier for the big males to breed?

Adrian

[jimbob]

Hello Andy.
There is a recipe in the back of the book, but I'm still resisting. I'm scared that one day I will taste their flesh and develop an insatiable craving and end up the butter besmeared diving equivalent of a dredger. Must resist.
Hope all's well with you.

Found an interview with the author.
Unknown Life of Lobsters: Sex, Robots, and Beyond
and the books website
The Secret Life of Lobsters - How Fishermen and Scientists Are Unraveling the Mysteries of Our Favorite Crustacean