Here are a few suggestions for how to minimize damage such as claw loss when tending gear:

• If a lobster is gripping the trap with one claw, it will often release its grip if you hold the other claw shut. If a leg is entwined in the trap, try to disentangle it.
• If two undersized lobsters are gripping each other, throw them overboard together. They will let go of each other when they hit the water. If the fighting lobsters are keepers, put them in a container of water onboard, where they are likely to let go of each other.
• If a lobster grips you rather than the trap, there are a few ways to escape with both you and the lobster intact.
  • For example, if a lobster has grabbed the index finger of your right hand with its large crusher claw, the last thing you want is to have the lobster tighten its grip. Therefore, the worst thing you can do is to let the lobster dangle in midair.
  • Hold the lobster gently with your free hand to help make it feel secure. If you can, prop the lobster up in your free hand with your fingers at the base of the walking legs and your thumb on top of the carapace. (Lobsters will often relax if you hold them from underneath their bodies.)
    • Plan A: Have your helper hold the other claw closed (if you are alone put the lobster down on the rail or deck and close the other claw yourself). If this does not entice the lobster to release its grip on you, then turn to plan B.
    • Plan B: Place the lobster in your holding tank or in a bucket of water. As soon as the lobster figures it can escape from you, it'll let go and take off- hopefully, without any part of you.
• If possible, toss undersized lobsters overboard so that the tail hits the water first because this:
• Flushes water through the gills in the desired breathing direction;
• Helps protect eggs being incubated on females' abdomens; and
• Puts the lobster in the appropriate position for its escape behavior (i.e., the tail flip response).

These steps, while taking extra time, will be beneficial to lobster health, growth, and quality, and will therefore benefit harvesters.