Lobsters with Shell Disease

[Gidds]

Have any of you MA, RI, or LIS divers seen any lobsters with shell disease while out and about? I am curious because I work in aquatic pathology and I am trying to get back into the water in RI and thought I'd look around for them.

 

[RIOceanographer]

Yes, I have seen plenty of lobsters with shell disease in RI waters. You shouldn't have too much trouble finding some.

 

[Gidds]

Are they all over the place or are there certain spots I should check? I work with oyster diseases so the lobsters are just a casual interest.

 

[RIOceanographer]

Neat, I actually know what dermo and MSX are so I have a pretty good idea what you do.

I have seen the shell disease at all of the sites in Jamestown and at the sites off of Ocean Rd in Narragansett but I don't think I could point to any place where I have seen it more than others.

Since the lobsters shed the diseased shell when they molt, you will find it more on bigger lobsters because they don't molt as often as the small ones. Also if you go searching for them, I'd recommend trying to look at night when the lobsters come out in the open. It will be easier than when they are all hiding in their holes during the day.

Hope that helps!

 

[Gidds]

"Dermo" is my special friend*rolls eyes* I do molecular/immunonlogy stuff. Occaisonally I skulk around your neck of the woods because they keep all the copies of JSR at Pell. You might know some of my friends actually. Anyway I was just curious about the lobsters because I missed the lobster workshop this year and wildlife viewing is my primary reason for diving.

 

[RIOceanographer]

"Dermo" is my special friend*rolls eyes* I do molecular/immunonlogy stuff. Occaisonally I skulk around your neck of the woods because they keep all the copies of JSR at Pell. You might know some of my friends actually. Anyway I was just curious about the lobsters because I missed the lobster workshop this year and wildlife viewing is my primary reason for diving.

Eek, I guess my profile sort of screams Bay Campus. You found me out! I am sure we must know some of the same people (not including your "special friend").

I actually just graduated from GSO this year, but promptly got a job across the street the NOAA lab. I guess there is no escaping South Ferry Rd for me any time soon!

If you need ever need a fish watching a dive buddy send me a PM. I dive several times a week so its not hard to get me in the water.

 

[Gidds]

Sorry I didn't mean to be creepy but the RIOceanographer caught my eye and your posts do indeed scream GSO!!! but only because I am on the main campus If and when I get the green light from my pysician and do a refresher I will most definately drop you a PM (I promise not to show up at your office). As far as fish-watching I'd love to see BIG fish, lost tropical fish, or just about any fish and of course lobsters hold a great deal of fascination for me and I wouldn't mind poking around for invasive Japanese shore crabs (BTW there will be a speaker addressing invasive marine species in NE at the next NEADC general meeting if anybody besides me thinks that's interesting) and green crabs infected with Sacculina *realizes how morbid and geeky that sounds and decides to be quiet* :blush: