The American lobster (Homarus americanus) is an invertebrate marine creature inhabiting the cold waters of the North Atlantic coast. Like many species, these crustaceans exhibit distinct sexes, and the female plays a significant part in the species’ continuation through reproduction. Her role is so important that it has directly influenced the terminology and conservation practices of the fishing industry. Understanding the specific terms and physical traits associated with the female is key to recognizing her place in the marine ecosystem.
Names and Specific Terminology for Female Lobsters
The general term used by fishers and in the industry for a female lobster is a “hen.” This common name distinguishes her from the male, which is typically called a “cock.” These terms reflect a long-standing tradition in the fishery.
A more specific and biologically important term is “berried hen,” which refers to a female carrying eggs. The term “berries” is the industry’s name for the eggs themselves, which are carried externally on the female’s underside. This distinction is paramount because a berried hen represents the next generation of the lobster population.
This specific terminology is directly connected to conservation efforts and fishing regulations. Laws prohibit the landing of egg-bearing females, protecting the brood stock. The term “berried” ensures that fishers can quickly identify the female stage that must be returned to the ocean.
How to Visually Identify a Female Lobster
Lobsters exhibit sexual dimorphism, meaning there are physical differences between the sexes that allow for visual identification. The most reliable method of distinguishing a female from a male is by examining the first pair of swimmerets, the small appendages located on the underside of the tail.
In the female, the first pair of swimmerets are softer, smaller, and more feather-like. These appendages hold the eggs during incubation and circulate oxygenated water over them. Conversely, the male’s swimmerets are larger, harder, and bony, serving as copulatory organs for transferring sperm.
Females also tend to have a broader abdomen or tail relative to the size of their carapace. This wider abdomen is a physical adaptation that provides a larger surface area for carrying a substantial clutch of eggs. While the swimmerets provide the clearest indicator, the overall body shape offers another clue for identification.
The Role of the ‘Berried’ Female
The “berried” stage is a significant phase where the female carries fertilized eggs cemented to her swimmerets. This external incubation can last up to a year, depending on water temperature. During this time, the female is responsible for protecting and aerating the developing embryos until they hatch into larvae.
The protection of these egg-bearing females is a cornerstone of sustainable fishery management. When a berried female is caught, fishers are required to mark her with a small, permanent V-shaped notch on one of her tail flippers before releasing her. This practice, called V-notching, permanently identifies the female as a proven breeder, even after she has molted or released her eggs.
The V-notch ensures that the female is protected from harvest for the rest of her life, or until the notch disappears through subsequent molts. Protecting these reproductive individuals contributes significantly to the overall spawning stock biomass, maintaining the health and sustainability of the lobster population.