It begins behind the eyes in the area over the stomach. It extends over the body and finally reaches into the claws. Diseased lobsters have been tagged and re- caught, showing the infection s progressive nature. During the first phase of testing a polymer along with an attractant derived from clams, herring, crab, shrimp, fish, and horseshoe crabs was used. Herb Hodgkins of Hancock helps test artificial bait.
Initial tests show the bait does work.
Further tests are needed to study the lifespan of the bait and the time of activation. A chicken by-product meal infused on the polymer is also being tested. Studies show that oxytetracycline, currently used for the treatment of gaffkemia at a dose of 2.2 mg per gram of feed, is effective in the treatment of this new infection when administered at a dose of 10 mg per gram of feed. The FDA must approve this new dose. They require more extensive environmental impact studies before they issue a ruling.