Spiny Lobster

First Choice
Scientific name
Panulirus cygnus
0
Western Australia
Production method
Wild-caught
Pots (traps)
IUCN status
Least concern
Stock status

A comprehensive and detailed stock assessment is available for Rock Lobster. The current fishing rate is assumed to be acceptable. The stock is in health condition.

Ecological effects

This fishing gear is not likely to cause significant damage to endangered, threatened, protected (ETP) species. The discard rate of this fishery is low, and all the discarded species are discarded alive. Western Australian Rock Lobster is a key species in the ecosystem, while the current stock status is healthy. The impact of the fishery on the ecosystem is negligible. Lobsters inhabit reef habitat, thus some impact on the habitat by traps is likely but generally low compared to potential effects of other fishing methods.

Management

The management of the Rock Lobster fishery has improved in recent years and Australia is addressing nearly all relevant topics which included protect of ETP species, habitat protection, high level of transparency, therefore evaluated as largely effective.