Efficacy of the Eastport Marine Protected Area for American lobster, Homarus americanus

Given global targets of protecting 10% of marine habitats by 2020, managers increasingly looked to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as a conservation tool. The Eastport MPA, designated in 2005, was established to protect a portion of the local American lobster (Homarus americanus) population. To determine MPA impacts on local lobster growth and reproduction, I analyzed 15 years of capture-mark-recapture data and egg samples from Eastport. Despite no significant trend in fecundity or size along a distance gradient from the MPA boundary, I detected increased egg production over time in the MPA. Female growth inside and outside remained steady over the tagging period in contrast to more variable male growth. Comparison of Eastport population fecundity and growth to other populations indicated higher fecundity at commercial size and slower rate of growth. These analyses provide inconclusive evidence regarding attainment of the original MPA conservation objectives, however, community-driven conservation could provide ecological benefits such as more careful handling of lobster that indirectly support these broader Eastport MPA objectives