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Rock lobster movement patterns and population structure within a Tasmanian Marine Protected Area inform fishery and conservation management

Citation

Barrett, N and Buxton, C and Gardner, C, Rock lobster movement patterns and population structure within a Tasmanian Marine Protected Area inform fishery and conservation management, Marine and Freshwater Research, 60, (5) pp. 417-425. ISSN 1323-1650 (2009) [Refereed Article]


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Copyright Statement

Copyright, CSIRO 2009. Definitive version available online at http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/127.htm

Official URL: http://www.publish.csiro.au/?nid=126

DOI: doi:10.1071/MF07154

Abstract

As reference sites to better understand characteristics such asmovement patterns, depletion of natural resources and ecosystem interactions, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are crucial in fishery and conservation management. The southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) is an important reef predator in temperate Australasia and subject to heavy exploitation. In a Tasmanian MPA, 90% of individuals were recaptured less than 200m from the point of release over weekly to annual time scales, regardless of size or sex. This lack of movement resulted in a substantial build-up of biomass and of large mature individuals in the MPA relative to adjacent fished locations. Although there was little spillover of individuals to the fishery, a 4-fold increase in female fecundity potentially enhanced larval export. Comparison of fished and unfished biomass of legal-sized animals suggested that exploitation had reduced biomass in the adjacent fishery to<10% of natural values. Overall, the demographic and movement patterns illustrate the extent of depletion of stocks in the absence of historical baseline data and the potential need for spatial management resulting from limited movement. Our data indicate that within MPAs, this predator can potentially recover in abundance to natural levels despite adjacent fishing pressure.

Item Details

Item Type:Refereed Article
Keywords:demography, exploitation, Jasus edwardsii, marine reserve, spatial management.
Research Division:Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences
Research Group:Fisheries sciences
Research Field:Fisheries management
Objective Division:Animal Production and Animal Primary Products
Objective Group:Fisheries - wild caught
Objective Field:Wild caught prawns
UTAS Author:Barrett, N (Associate Professor Neville Barrett)
UTAS Author:Buxton, C (Professor Colin Buxton)
UTAS Author:Gardner, C (Professor Caleb Gardner)
ID Code:59086
Year Published:2009
Web of Science® Times Cited:27
Deposited By:TAFI - Marine Research Laboratory
Deposited On:2009-11-17
Last Modified:2010-04-22
Downloads:0

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