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Demographics and Yield–Per–Recruit Assessment of the Vulnerable Spiny Lobster Palinurus elephas in the Azores—Implications for Conservation and Fisheries Management

Authors :
Régis Santos
Ualerson Iran Peixoto
Wendell Medeiros-Leal
Rui M. Sequeira
Ana Novoa-Pabon
Mário Pinho
Source :
Biology, Vol 11, Iss 3, p 474 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2022.

Abstract

The spiny lobster Palinurus elephas has been intensively harvested across its range and is generally considered overfished, with global landings declining sharply from an average of 820 t in 1960–79 to 385 t in 2000–19. Despite its economic and ecological importance, limited information is available to perform stock assessments and make robust management decisions. In this study, demographics and exploitation levels of P. elephas were determined from coastal areas of the Azores, and the relevance of these data for conservation planning was discussed. Carapace length varied between 39.6 and 174.3 mm, with mean sizes decreasing by depth. Males reached larger sizes and grew faster than females but were less dominant. Lifespan was 43 years for females and 60 years for males. The estimated mean length at first capture was 101.65 mm—around 58% of its asymptotic length. Fishing mortality and exploitation levels were close to the optimal values, indicating an uncertain future for Azorean populations if stock assessment and management initiatives are not focused on this species. Conservation and management strategies may benefit from these results under the ‘precautionary approach’ principle. However, up–to–date and accurate catch and fishing effort data need to be urgently collected.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20797737
Volume :
11
Issue :
3
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Biology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.f000cf54af4d129e56b4b4262090a0
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11030474