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SPINY LOBSTER ABUNDANCE

D11

What

What Is It?

BENCHMARK

Increase

Increase average spiny lobster

The spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) is a large crustacean

abundance by 7% in each country by

that occurs throughout the Caribbean. Spiny lobsters

2011.

2011.

are distinguished by their long, thick, spiny antennae

and complete lack of claws. They often live in crevices

Establish baseline values for spiny

Establish

of coral reefs, mangrove prop roots or seagrass beds,

lobster abundance in the MAR region,

emerging at night to forage for food.

using no-fishing zones to indicate

optimal

optimal "natural" densities.

In the MAR region, lobster is the most valuable marine

export product and is, therefore, of great importance

TA R G E T

to coastal livelihoods (see below). Spiny lobster

Increase average spiny lobster

Increase

abundance is measured in terms of their density

abundance by 30% in each country by

(number of individuals per hectare) in specified lobster

2025.

2025.

habitats.

Why Do We Measure It?

RED FL AG

Any

Any consistent (3-4 year) reduction

Spiny lobster fishing is a key activity that supports

in average density, particularly when

marine-based livelihoods in the MAR region. Measuring

correlated

correlated with a drop in production.

the natural population density provides a results-based

indicator of fisheries management efforts. Although

each country implements regulatory measures to

Usefulness

protect the species from unsustainable exploitation,

the fishery has experienced significant declines in

Measuring population abundance or density directly

production. As such, the viability of populations in the

characterizes the status of wild spiny lobster stocks

wild that support the lobster fishery is of particular

in the MAR region. It also helps estimate whether

concern. Major declines in the abundance of this

populations are able to sustain the current level of

species (and its valuable commercial fishery) would

extraction, or if the level of extraction exceeds the

produce economic hardship for fishers.

natural replenishment. It also serves as a signal for

managers to take action when abundance levels

Lobster populations in the MAR are considered

decrease below established viability thresholds.

important to the wider Caribbean and may include

both "source" and "sink" populations (both providing

Status

Status

and receiving recruits) for areas outside the MAR.

Currently there are limited data on the overall regional

How Do We Measure It?

abundance or density of spiny lobster in the MAR. Data

from several MPAs in Belize include the following:

Spiny  lobster  stock  assessments  are  usually

conducted by divers using belt transect methods to

· Data from Glover's Reef Marine Reserve taken

measure occurrence over a specific area and calculate

in 2001 (four years after full enforcement of the

lobster density.

reserve) found almost 90 adult lobster/hectare in

the "no-take" zone versus about 25 adult lobster/ha

In the region, various monitoring efforts are underway;

in the `general-use" zone40. From summer 2004 to

however, the data are often specific to select marine

summer 2005, average lobster densities were five

protected areas. There is no routine regional stock

times higher in the "no-take" zone (50 lobster/ha)

assessment or standardized methodology for the

than in the "general-use" zone (10 lobster/ha)41.

region. Production data by country are consistently

collected throughout the region (see Indicator D9

Volume of Production).

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