New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Marine Division, the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve in Wells, Maine, the University of New Hampshire, and Saint Joseph’s College of Maine (the Collaborative) are working cooperatively to determine how warming ocean waters influence the migratory movements of female lobsters carrying eggs.

Of special interest is the impact this might have on the ability of larval-stage lobsters to recruit (return) to inshore nursery grounds.

The project’s working hypothesis is that females will seek colder water by moving further offshore, which may influence where the larvae are transported by the ocean’s currents.

To better test this theory, the Collaborative will deploy ocean drifters, which are free-floating buoys that glide along on the oceans currents for the purpose of collecting various forms of data such as meteorological information and water temperature.

The Collaborative hopes these drifters will mimic how lobster larvae drift from four different locations that range from 4-26 km (2-16 miles) from the coastline of New

Hampshire.

The Collaborative will deploy 24 drifters before the beginning of July and will be reliant on the public and the fishing industry to recognize and not disturb them.

These drifters will be largely submerged in the water, their tops floating just above the surface, and each will be equipped with a GPS unit and an orange flashing light.

Because lobster larvae are typically in the water column for almost 30 days before they settle to the bottom, it is important to ensure that the drifters also spend at least a month in the water.

Anyone seeing one before Aug. 1 should leave it in the water.

After Aug. 1, the Collaborative would seek help in the retrieval of this equipment. There will be a phone number on the unit that can be used to make arrangements to retrieve the equipment.

Alton access

facility closed

To better serve the residents and visitors of New Hampshire, the Downing’s Landing public boat access facility in Alton will be closed to all public access starting on Monday, July 6.

During the closure, significant improvements will be made by the Department to the dock system and boat ramp.

This season’s closure is expected to last into October and will curtail all access to the lake associated with the facility.

Fish and Game purchased the former private marina at the southern tip of Alton Bay in November of 2012, creating the first public boat access facility on Lake Winnipesaukee. From July 6, and until further notice, the entire facility will be closed to the public to ensure a safe and effective work site.

The ramp will be closed and there will be no opportunity to launch or retrieve motorized boats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks, or other self-propelled watercraft during this time period.

The parking area for the ramp will be closed to the public as well, and there will be no fishing from the shore.

Check project status updates by visiting the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Statewide Public Boat Access Program’s webpage at www.fishnh.com/access/index.php.

NH Fish and Game’s Statewide Public Boat Access Program is funded through boat registration fees, which are combined as match dollars with federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration funds to facilitate boat access opportunities in the state.

Fish and Game’s Facilities Construction and Lands Division acquires land for public water access sites, refurbishes existing sites, and builds new public boat access areas.

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