A DESCRIPTION OF INTENSIVE CULTURE SYSTEMS FOR THE AMERICAN LOBSTER (Homarus americanus) AND OTHER CANNIBALISTIC CRUSTACEANS1

Abstract
The high rates of cannibalism which have been documented for H. americanus reared communally dictate that for a majority of the culture period the lobsters should be reared individually, in order to eliminate these losses. Criteria essential to the development of culture systems for the intensive rearing of lobsters and other cannibalistic crustacean species in individual holding compartments are considered. These include the necessity for holding large numbers of individuals in a minimal amount of space, delivery of oxygenated water evenly to each rearing compartment, and removal of wastes. Considerations of space utilization, capital construction costs, and associated components for automatic feeding, maintenance, and harvesting also are discussed.