Lobster (Homarus americanus) size distribution in relation to proximity to eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds in Frenchman Bay

Eelgrass beds are productive and structurally complex habitats which broaden the array of organisms that can inhabit an area, and serve as nursery grounds for invertebrates and fish and as resting and feeding grounds for other organisms, including migrating seabirds. We examined lobster size distribution near eelgrass beds, while accompanying a local lobsterman as he checked his traps. These data revealed a relationship between lobster size and proximity to eelgrass beds, and between lobster size and proximity to shore. These results are helpful for understanding the importance of near-shore habitats in Frenchman Bay for a commercially targeted species at different life stages.