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Thanks to the support from Maine\u2019s lobster license plate holders, the Lobster Institute and the Maine Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory have formed a Rapid Response Team (RRT) to look at issues related to lobster health.\u00a0\u00a0 The RRT\u2019s goal is to develop the ability and sensibility within Maine\u2019s lobster industry that early reporting and diagnosis of presumed diseased or deformed lobsters is critical to gauging the population\u2019s susceptibility to new and emerging pathogens.<\/p>\n
The intent is to make it fast and easy for lobstermen to tap into this Team for a convenient way to have possibly-diseased or malformed lobsters quickly assessed.\u00a0 Lobstermen are encouraged to report such lobster to the RRT for early observation and diagnosis.\u00a0 Lobstermen should remember A.C.E<\/strong>:<\/p>\n The RRT will then determine if a lobster should be further examined at the laboratory, and make the arrangements for pick-up or shipping.\u00a0 Laminated copies of the A.C.E. Card were distributed at the Maine Fishermen\u2019s Forum so lobstermen can keep them close at hand on their boats or in their wallets.\u00a0 Cards are also available by contacting the RRT.<\/p>\n According to the team\u2019s leader Dr. Deborah Bouchard, Manager of the Maine Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory, \u201cIn order to look at the lobster\u2019s susceptibility to disease, we need to rapidly respond to incidence of disease \u2013 particularly possible new and emerging pathogens. Protection of the lobster population is critical to both the ecosystem and to the thousands of people that rely on sustaining a healthy resource for their livelihood.\u00a0 We must be able to respond rapidly to lobster health and environmental crises facing the lobster industry \u2013 or simply diagnose and analyze diseased and suspicious lobsters, without being bound by the long lag-time encountered when trying to secure grant or state contract funding.\u201d<\/p>\n Team member and Associate Director of the Lobster Institute, Cathy Billings notes that, \u201cThe Team will be able to respond with solid, scientific research where the need is the greatest, and when the need is the greatest.\u201d\u00a0 She added that the RRT wants to hear about, and hopefully see via photos, all suspect lobster whether they are legal or not legal for landing.<\/p>\n The RRT has been in communication with the Marine Patrol and they are aware that certain suspicious lobsters may be held on lobster boats pending RRT analysis, even if they are shorts, over-sized or eggers.<\/p>\n Primary funding for the RRT came through an award from the Lobster Research, Education and Development Fund, supported by lobster license plate fees.\u00a0 This allowed the RRT to contract with Maine\u2019s Department of Marine Resources to provide the needed laboratory analysis.<\/p>\n\n