DEB Model of Temperature Effects on the American Lobster(Homarus americanus)

The application of experimental observations to field extrapolations of physiological states is critical and gaining momentum due to the ongoing impact of climate change. H. americanus is an economically and ecologically important fishery resource in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (GSL). Their bentho-pelagic and eurythermal lifecycle aids their distribution despite exposure to current temperature gradients in the Gulf. The warming-induced latitudinal shift in H. americanus’ distribution was positive for the Gulf but may also disproportionately harm fisheries. At the Maurice Lamontagne Institute, we designed temperature-response experiments to discern variations in the physiology and core-life history of H. americanus and used the data to fine-tune temperature responses in its Dynamic Energy Budget parameterisation and simulation. To validate the budget, we replicated four-month temperature conditions in several key areas of the Gulf and compared the observed growth patterns with DEB predictions for each area. The best temperature-effect parameters were then used to create spatial growth representation patterns for each area, ahead of stock-management decisions. Future development includes real-time Hovmoller plots of physiological performance that define responses to co-evolving satellite-derived environmental gradients, including acidification, hypoxia, salinity, and pollutants for monitoring, and science-backed decision making on stock management.