We do marine biological research along the Swedish West Coast. We also promote scientific diving.
Ongoing research
Vi have got many ideas for lobster and nudibranch projects and we have already applied for funding for 2018. However, start diving for nudibranch projects already in November 2017. More info to come.
Finished projects
The Kåvra lobster project 2016-2017
D&S divers investigated mainly the size and sex distribution of lobsters inside the Kåvra lobster reserve (>2 km2) that has been protected from fishing since 1989. Once lobsters, within three chosen areas inside the reserve, were measured and marked (during day and night diving in July – August 2017) we fished lobsters inside the reserve, using the most common lobster pot, the Carapax pot. We could demonstrate the catch ability of the Carapax pot which is used in data collection for the management of the lobster fishery. Carapax pot fishing was done in collaboration with the Institute of Marine Research in Lysekil which is responsible for the national data collection from the recreational lobster fishery. The project was run by D&S divers Vidar Øresland and Gert Oxby. The results will be published in a scientific journal.
Request to D&S-divers: We need observations of lobsters eating lobsters and observations of extremely small (< 8 cm total length) and large (> 4 kg) lobsters.
- The American lobster project
This project was run by Vidar Øresland (D&S) och Mats Ulmestrand (both at the Institute of Marine Research in Lysekil). Capture of American lobsters have been recorded since 2008 when the first American lobster was recorded in Swedish waters. So far, 36 lobsters have been recorded in Swedish waters up to May 2017 and most were caught inside the Gullmar Fjord. A unique video was taken by S&D diver Gert Oxby who filmed an American lobster eating on a European lobster that had been killed. The video demonstrates how important dive observations are for research and our understanding of behaviour patterns.
ABSTRACT
The intentional or unintentional release of American lobsters (Homarus americanus), imported through the European seafood trade, has resulted in findings of H. americanus in European waters. A total of 36 specimens was recorded within a smaller area, halfway along the Swedish west coast, between 2008 and 2016. The lobsters were caught by both recreational and professional fishermen and delivered to the Institute of Marine Research in Lysekil, where species identification, measurements, and genetic sampling were performed. Twenty-five of these lobsters were caught inside the sill of the Gullmar Fjord, most of them close to Lysekil harbor, where escapes from an illegal holding is suspected. Six females had eggs, which in two cases were hybrids. While there is no evidence to suggest that a population has been established in the Gullmar Fjord or elsewhere in Swedish waters, serious concerns must be raised regarding the possible consequences for the native species. An American lobster has for the first time been filmed eating a killed European lobster (Homarus gammarus) in Swedish waters. (Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 00: 1–4 (0000) dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2016-0532. Published on www.nrcresearchpress.com/cjfas in June 2017).
- The Nudibranch pilot study, Lysekil
The project goals were to investigate marking techniques and local movements of 17 specimens of one species. We now have a pretty good idea how to develop our field methods and a larger research project can be started in late 2017 if we obtain funding. More info on this will come in late 2017. We thank all involved D&S divers for reporting observations during the pilot study. The project was run by D&S divers Vidar Øresland and Gert Oxby.
Publications by D&S divers
- Vidar Øresland, Mats Ulmestrand, Ann-Lisbeth Agnalt, and Gert Oxby (2017). Recorded captures of American lobster (Homarus americanus) in Swedish waters and an observation of predation on the European lobster (Homarus gammarus). Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 00: 1–4 (0000) dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2016-0532. Published at www.nrcresearchpress.com/cjfas on 21 June 2017. Direct link here (opens in new window).
- Malmberg, K. and K. Lundin (2015). Svenska nakensnäckor (Swedish nudibranchs). Aquatilis and Förlag Waterglobe Productions. 128 pp.
- Malmberg, K. (2012). Livet under ytan – en marin artguide (Life below surface – a marine species guide). Aquatilis and Förlag Waterglobe Productions. 128 pp.