Utilization of Artificial Reefs for Enhancement of Spiny Lobster Resource

Hiroaki Terashima^*1, Monique Calderon^*2 and Makeba Felix^*2

IC Net Limited. Member for the Project for Strengthening Sustainable Use and Management of Coastal Fisheries Resources in the CARICOM Countries (COASTFISH)^*1
LA Tower 27 F., 11-2 Shintoshin, Chuo-ku, Saitama-shi, 3306027, Japan.
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Department of Fisheries, Saint Lucia^*2
Pointe Seraphine Castries Saint Lucia
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ABSTRACT

The Caribbean spiny lobster, Panulirus argus found in the western Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico is a highly valued commercially important species, which is considered a delicacy in the world. In order to manage and conserve the resource of this species, many countries in the region have legislated for fishing restrictions, including minimum size limits, closed seasons, and fishing quotas. However, in several countries, the resources have still faced significant declines owing to overfishing by poaching, habitat destruction and climate change. In order to improve this situation, Japanese aid agencies have implemented an artificial reef project as demonstration tests for development of the nursery ground to enhance the spiny lobster stock. The Overseas Fisheries Consultants Association (OFCA) implemented a model project at St. Vincent and the Grenadines from 2003 to 2005 with the aim of increasing the Caribbean Spiny Lobster stocks, providing technical guidance and lectures to the Fisheries Division through the installation and monitoring surveys of artificial reefs. Subsequent intermittent monitoring observed a large number of spiny lobsters aggregating on artificial reef designed to attract the spiny lobster. In 2020, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) then launched the Project for Strengthening Sustainable Use and Management of Coastal Fisheries Resources in the CARICOM Countries - COASTFISH Project. One of the pilot activities is to deploy an artificial seaweed and an artificial reef combined for development of the nursery habitat for juvenile spiny lobster, and already juvenile spiny lobsters were found on the artificial reef. In this pilot project, local fisherfolks, MPA rangers and officers of the Fisheries Department worked together to develop and monitor the artificial reefs that are inexpensive and easy to install. Such efforts are being made with reference to the "satoumi activities" that are being carried out in coastal areas of Japan.

HOW TO CITE: Terashima, H., M. Calderon and M. Felix, 2026. Utilization of Artificial Reefs for Enhancement of Spiny Lobster Resource. Contribution 6.9, p467-480 IN CRFM, 2026. Volume I: Technical Papers. Presented at the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference, 28-31 August 2023. CRFM Special Publication No. 37, CRFM Secretariat https://www.crfm.int/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=939

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Ten Years of Caribbean Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) Closed Season: Evidence From Antigua and Barbuda’s Small-Scale Fishery

Ian Horsford* and Hilroy Simon

Fisheries Division, Point Wharf Fisheries Complex, St. John’s, Antigua, West Indies
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ABSTRACT

Catch and effort and biological data were collected from commercial fishing trips, research trips, at-sea stop and search, and from inspections of processing plants, retailers, and restaurants in Antigua and Barbuda. The objectives were to: 1) appraise the impact of the annual two-month closed season enacted in 2013; and 2) determine trends (catch per unit effort, carapace length, etc.) and status of the fishery. Significant temporal differences existed amongst the mean catch per unit effort (p < 0.001) with the catch rates for traps (fish pots) increasing by at least three-fold after the implementation of the closed season. The odds of catching a spiny lobster via traps was also statistically greater (1.7 times more likely) after the implementation of the closed season (OR = 1.7, 95% CI [1.3, 2.1]); note the mean number of traps hauled per trip per vessel size class were not significantly different between the two periods (p > 0.05). Mean sizes of lobsters were significantly larger (p < 0.05) than the estimate of the size at 50% maturity for females (95.7 mm) and comparable to those over the past two decades. The overall enhancement of the fishery was attributed to the general compliance with the closed season coupled with a catch certification programme that requires exporters to comply with the various management measures (minimum size, closed season, prohibition on moulting and egg-bearing lobsters) as well as provide proof of purchase from authorised sources (i.e., fishers or traders possessing a valid fisher licence and from duly licensed vessels possessing a valid lobster permit). As of 2023, a catch certificate is required for export of any fish (including lobster) or fishery product from Antigua and Barbuda regardless of the destination. The next step in “closing the net” on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the lobster fishery is adapting the catch certification programme for the other major consumer group – local hotels and restaurants.

HOW TO CITE: Horsford, I. and H. Simon, 2026.Ten Years of Caribbean Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus) Closed Season: Evidence From Antigua and Barbuda’s Small-Scale Fishery. Contribution 6.8, p455-466 IN CRFM, 2026. Volume I: Technical Papers. Presented at the CRFM 20^th Anniversary Scientific Conference, 28-31 August 2023. CRFM Special Publication No. 37, CRFM Secretariat https://www.crfm.int/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=938

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Biology and Diseases of Panulirus argus on Saint Kitts and Nevis

Nicole A. M. Atherley Herbert, Michelle M. Dennis, Mark A. Freeman

Center for Conservation Medicine & Ecosystem Health, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Saint Kitts and Nevis

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ABSTRACT

The Caribbean spiny lobster, P. argus, is a commercially important species found in the Western Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. Since P. argus fisheries generate approximately US $1 billion annually, regulations are in place to protect the fisheries and ensure sustainability of the resource. Countries within the region have adopted regulations to achieve this objective, including closed seasons and minimum landing size requirements. In a study conducted on Saint Kitts and Nevis from 2017 to 2020, morphological and histological data were collected, it was determined that minimum size at maturity occurs at 87 mm carapace length while peak reproductive activity occurs from March to May. Although there are few known diseases of P. argus, the PaV1 virus has negatively affected several P. argus populations in some countries. Disease surveillance functions to determine the health of the fishing stock and to discover emergent pathogens which may threaten the fisheries. In this study, lobsters at the adult, juvenile and postlarval stages were screened grossly and histologically for signs of disease. Molecular techniques were also used to identify the aetiological agents of pathologies observed. Parasites such as Ameson herrnkindi (a novel microsporidian parasite), Carcinonemertes conanobrieni, an egg-predator previously reported in Florida and Colombia, and previously undescribed Carcinonemertes sp. were found. Such scientific data can prove instrumental in the management of P. argus stocks including the identification of determination of potential closed seasons, establishing minimum legal size, and assessing aquaculture suitability. Based on our data, March to June could be adopted as the closed season for Saint Kitts and Nevis.

HOW TO CITE: Herbert, N.A.M.A., M. M. Dennis and M. A. Freeman, 2026.  Biology and Diseases of Panulirus argus on Saint Kitts and Nevis. Contribution 3.15, p265-278 IN CRFM, 2026. Volume I: Technical Papers. Presented at the CRFM 20th Anniversary Scientific Conference, 28-31 August 2023. CRFM Special Publication No. 37, CRFM Secretariat https://www.crfm.int/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=920

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