Organic matter production of American lobsters ( Homarus americanus ) during impoundment in Maine, United States

Abstract Lobster impoundments are dammed coastal embayments utilised to hold American lobsters ( Homarus americanus ) before shipping to market. The impacts of lobster impoundments on the environment have not been previously studied. Here, the digestive functioning of American lobsters was examined to assess the quantity and quality (TVS, total volatile solids) of lobster faeces produced under the temperatures and feeding regimens these animals were subjected to during the impoundment period. Overall it was determined that quantity and quality of faeces did not differ among the experimental temperatures (5, 10, and 15°C), and that animals fed every 1–2 days produced greater quantity and quality of faeces than those fed every 3–18 days, or those animals fed less than every 18 days. As a first estimate of organic matter production in active lobster impoundments, it was calculated that a typical lobster impoundment produced 0.79 ± 0.35 (average ± 1 SD) g TVS m ‐2 day ‐1 during the impoundment period, equivalent to 3.11 ± 0.60% of the total weight of lobsters stocked into the impoundment. This level of organic matter production is below the level produced by other aquaculture operations, and that at which benthic impacts might be expected.