Can we trust southern rock lobsters to control range-expanding, habitat-destroying longspined sea urchins in Tasmania?

Southern Rock Lobsters (Jasus edwardsii) are known to predate upon the range-expanding Longspined Sea Urchin (Centrostephanus rodgersii) which have caused dramatic losses of vital kelp habitat in South East Australia. We investigate just how effective rebuilding commercially fished lobster stocks might be in controlling these invading pest populations given numerous alternate and natural prey options are available. Further, we discuss how fisheries management can incorporate this knowledge into lobster stock rebuilding plans to halt further habitat destruction while minimising negative trade-offs on other commercially important species.