The Aquarium Gains a “Big Bug”

Monterey Bay Aquarium member Tom Powers was enjoying a beautiful day of freediving off the Channel Islands near Ventura, California, when he came across “the largest lobster I’ve ever seen”—weighing an astounding 11 pounds. He wrestled the California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) out of its cave—losing a few inches of his Kevlar glove in the process—and took it home, intending to give it pride of place on his dinner table.

But the more he reflected on the “magnificent beast” he had caught, the more he realized that it deserved a different destiny. He placed a call to the Aquarium to see if we would be interested in putting the enormous lobster—estimated to be more than 50 years old—on exhibit. Aquarist Kevin Lewand and the rest of the husbandry staff happily accepted, and the lobster is currently ensconced in a rocky cave in the Enchanted Kelp Forest section of the Splash Zone.

Old man of the sea
California spiny lobsters are estimated to gain 1.5 pounds every 7-8 years, according to Lewand. But that formula is an approximation, and there are other factors that could make this specimen as old as 80 or 90! (For instance, growth seems to slow with age, and also varies according to the available food supply.) Regardless, it seems likely that this particular lobster was shuffling across the ocean floor before Eisenhower was president.

Conservation
The California spiny lobster is a “huge keystone species,” says Lewand. “They’re important for a healthy kelp forest.” In the absence of a vibrant lobster population (especially large ones), sea urchin “barrens” can take over and denude the kelp forest, which is home to myriad other species. The California lobster fishery is closed from March through September to protect egg-carrying and molting female lobsters. At other times of the year, the commercial trap fishery is restricted, and recreational divers can take a maximum of seven lobsters per day, using only their hands to retrieve them.

Still, according to the California Department of Fish and Game, “trophy-size lobster of both sexes…are becoming more scarce.” Marine Protected Areas—the so-called “Yosemites of the Sea” where human activities are restricted—may provide a critical boost to the species, allowing them to recover and thrive.

And just maybe, Marine Protected Areas could provide a safe haven for more “big bugs” like the one now on exhibit at the Aquarium.

“I love to hunt and eat lobster,” said Powers. “But giving this lobster to the Aquarium was by far the most gratifying experience I've ever had in all of my years hunting.”

Comments

[upvc windows]

That is a big lobster,heavier than our new born son.great catch!

[Arch]

mmm I love lobster, but seriously I would feel guilty eating an old guy like that. He deserves to get a special home. WTG Tom!

[Anne]

Great that this lobster got a happy ending. Monterey Bay Aquarium is an excellent organisation that do a great deal to educate people about conservation. Their exhibits are amazing too. Pity Tom Powers is going to continue killing lobsters though. Will all the youngsters he catches be cruelly killed by being boiled alive? Come on Tom, you've done the decent thing with this one - can't you give up hunting now and leave the rest alone?

[Term papers]

That is a big achievement... But it'll be good if put him back into the sea for increasing more populations of lobsters.

[Eric]

What is the significance of removing such a lobster from the breeding population? Obviously it is a very successful individual. wouldn't it be better to let it continue to pass these "successful" genes onto future lobster generations?

[Jinger]

Laguna Beach is a terrific candidate for an MPA in Orange County. The steep rocky cliffs and standing kelp forests are the perfect nursery to restore our sealife along California's coast. Unfortunately, we are up against a well organized fishing lobby that wants things to continue as they are with commercial fishing, party boats, spearfishing, hook n line, and a free for all when it comes to our TidePools. Please get the word out that a Marine Reserve in Laguna Beach is an excellent site for an MPA between Palos Verdes and La Jolla.
The MPA Regional Stakeholders are intimadated by the fishing lobby and are failing in their duty to protect and restore our ocean.
We are beginning the last Round (3) of proposals and if you can help, now is the time.

[Ruby Vernblom]

How exciting! That guy is enormous! Good job for giving it to the aquarium!

[Tim]

I agree with Miriam. A lobster that size would not be very good to eat anyway. The little ones are a lot tastier. Put it back and let it make some babies!

[Geoff Drake]

Randy writes eloquently about the larger raison d'etre for an aquarium. Yes, we sometimes remove animals from their natural environment, but they are well cared for and serve a higher purpose for their brethren in the wild.

[Randy Dixon]

He did the right thing ... many would have just ate the big spiny. Put it back in the wild? He he...that's just what a hungry diver wants. Conservation begins with public education and what a better chance to show off the big spiny. That one animal's contribution may save thousands of his cousins in the future through public education.

[Bon]

Thank you Tom for contributing a specimen that will surely make an impact on hundreds if not thousands. This magnificent "grandpa" is sure to be a compelling impact on many!

[como]

Wow that lobster is HUGE!!!

[julie]

Tom Powers- you rock (lobster)!

Thanks for making your decision to let us all see this magnificent creature- alive.

[Ken Peterson]

They can be long lived, and with the good veterinary care he'll get here -- and the absence of divers looking for a lobster meal, or native predators in the wild -- he could be here for decades.

[kim]

thank you ken for adding this information. ... how much longer would you expect this lobster will survive in captivity versus wild?

thank you

[Ken Peterson]

We often do return animals to the wild. In this case, we think the lobster can make a bigger contribution as an ambassador for two critical issues.

First, spiny lobsters play a key role in maintaining healthy kelp forests -- by eating the sea urchins that have grazed kelp holdfasts to oblivion in some parts of southern California.

Second, lobster populations have rebounded and the size of animals is getting larger inside the marine protected areas established in the Channel Islands.

The Aquarium is a strong advocate for expanding the network of marine protected areas throughout California to protect key habitats and restore declining fisheries. The lobster is a compelling poster child to help us tell that story.

[kim]

that's what i thought as well, why not release the old guy back to where he's called home for 50-80 yrs? but then, someone like powers who doesn't feel bad taking wildlife from their home and eating them might come along and he won't be so lucky. tough call in these situations.

[Cathy from Texas]

I haven't been able to visit the Aquarium yet, but what an exciting contribution! Thanks to Mr. Powers for the terrific picture and the last minute change of heart!

[Miriam]

I think it's great that Powers gave the lobster to the Aquarium. But wouldn't it be better to put it back into the wild so it can keep on making lots of little lobsters?