Ecological and physical processes in surface convergences, a critical microhabitat for american; PI jesus pineda purpose: prior work has found that postlarvae of the american lobster, homarus…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) a Cooperative Agreement valued at $240,408 under the Sea Grant Support program (CFDA 11.417) effective October 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026. The award funds research on ecological and physical processes in ocean surface convergences as critical microhabitats for American lobster (Homarus americanus) postlarvae. WHOI will analyze and integrate previously collected data to characterize the hydrographic structure of convergence zones, compare larval diets and prey availability within and outside convergences, examine postlarval coloration and lipid profiles as indicators of condition and convergence occupancy, and model regional circulation patterns to explain geographic variations in postlarval abundance.

The research outputs will advance knowledge of trophic interactions, larval fitness, and biological-physical recruitment processes for American lobster—one of the nation's most valuable commercial fishery species—with findings intended to inform more accurate population modeling and support sustainable management of the species. This basic research initiative reflects the Sea Grant program's emphasis on applied oceanographic research combined with knowledge transfer to resource managers and coastal stakeholders addressing challenges in marine environments.

Activities

This proposal will analyze and integrate data collected in a prior year towards: 1) resolving the hydrographic structure of convergences to better understand the dynamics of convergence microhabitats where postlarvae are most likely to be concentrated. 2) comparing the diets and prey fields of larvae in and outside convergences, to determine if lobster larvae are feeding better in convergences. 3) examining coloration and lipid profiles of lobster postlarvae in and outside convergences, to test whether color can be used as an indicator of recent convergence occupancy, stress, and condition. 4) understanding the regional circulation and larval supply processes explaining regional differences in postlarvae abundance.

Expected outcomes

This work will inform more accurate modeling approaches to maintain a healthy lobster fishery, and develop sampling approaches to reduce inaccuracy in larval abundance estimates used to monitor the health of the fishery. Outcomes from this project may impact: 1) sampling design for understanding the distribution and abundance of lobster postlarvae, and 2) managers' and researchers' decisions on the biological-physical models that are appropriate and must be developed to simulate larval transport and dispersal of lobster larvae, including modeling of population trajectory into the future.

Intended beneficiaries

Stakeholders include the new england lobster fishery, new england cooperative research summit, the scientific and management community via scientific publications and meetings such as the benthic ecology meeting and fishermen & scientists research society conference, and the public, engaged through such fora as the MA audubon's cape COD natural history conference, whoi's science made public series, and whoi's oceanus magazine geared at the general public. The PIS will train 2 paid local undergraduate students recruited from community colleges and the massachusetts maritime academy.