Report on the Spiny Lobster Fishery: Summary of Fishing Activity for the 2020-2021 Season.

Abstract

Spiny lobsters (Palinuridae) are amongst many marine species with great commercial importance for small-scale fisherman. In Seychelles, the spiny lobster fishery has traditionally been managed as a seasonal closure and limited access (license-limited) fishery. The lobster fishing season usually opens for 3 months, but because of low catch and effort as a result of unfavourable weather conditions, the 2020/2021 fishing season was extended by 1 month. This report presents analyses of the fisheries-dependent data collected from the spiny lobster fishery during the 2020/2021 fishing season and makes comparison between previous fishing seasons. To achieve this, data collected from fishers and sampled Catch and Effort logbooks were used. Statistical analyses to compare sizes between the previous seasons for Panulirus longipes (Long-legged spiny lobster) and Panulirus penicillatus (Pronghorn spiny lobster) were performed. Results for 2020/2021 season showed that snorkelling was the dominant fishing method. An increase in both the total catch (6.14 Metric Tonnes) and number of fishing trips (242 trips) was observed compared to the two previous seasons. In terms of fishing location, Mahé remains the most dominant area for both total catch and number of trips amongst the major fishing sites. Despite an increase in the number of trips, the CPUE showed a slight decrease. For the 2020/21 season, female carapace length (CL) sizes for both Panulirus penicillatus and Panulirus longipes were larger compared to the previous seasons. In contrast, a decrease in CL was observed in males. Overall, the data analysis for 2020/2021 season indicates that there was a slight decrease in lobster’s relative abundance, most probably attributed to lobster fishing season being open for two consecutive fishing seasons. Despite more fishing opportunities being made available through the fishery extension, the CPUE remained lower compared to the previous season, thus indicating possible signs of reduced lobster abundance. The 2021 fisheries independent survey will be conducted during the last quarter of the year to establish the changes in the relative abundance of lobsters.