Overview

• Lobsters in the Gulf of Maine are moving from traditional boulder shelters to open sediment and ledge habitats.
• From 1995 to 2021, the occupancy of boulder habitats by lobsters decreased by 60%, while their presence in sediment habitats increased by 633%.
• Rising ocean temperatures, which have increased by nearly 3 degrees Celsius, are linked to these habitat shifts.
• The overall density of lobsters has declined, but the average size of lobsters has increased due to fewer juveniles reaching the seafloor.
• These changes in habitat preference may affect lobster stock assessments and require adjustments in fishing regulations.