Resources & Glossary
Essential terminology and external links for students, educators, and industry professionals.
Glossary of Terms
- Berried Female
- A female lobster carrying eggs on the underside of her tail. The eggs resemble small berries.
- Carapace Length
- The standard unit of measurement for a lobster's size. It is measured from the rear of the eye socket to the rear edge of the body shell (carapace), parallel to the centerline.
- Ecdysis (Molting)
- The process by which a lobster sheds its old shell to grow a new, larger one. This is the only way lobsters can increase in size.
- V-Notch
- A specific V-shaped mark cut into the tail flipper of a female lobster. This identifies her as a proven breeder and protects her from harvest for multiple years.
- Settlement
- The stage where post-larval lobsters descend from the water column to live on the ocean floor.
- Bycatch
- Marine life caught unintentionally while catching a target species.
External Resources
NOAA Fisheries: American Lobster
Official U.S. government regulations, biology, and stock status reports.
Visit Site →Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC)
Detailed management plans and technical reports for Atlantic coastal fisheries.
Visit Site →The Lobster Conservancy
Archives of research and volunteer data on juvenile lobster populations.
(Archive Link)Downloadable Field Guides
Get our free printable identification cards and measuring guides for your next trip.
Go to Downloads