New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts

Comparison of injuries to New Zealand rock lobsters (Jasus edwardsii) caused by hand versus snare collection

Warrick Powrie

Grant W. Tempero^*

Centre for Biodiversity and Ecology Research
Department of Biological Sciences
School of Science and Engineering
The University of Waikato
Private Bag 3105
Hamilton 3240, New Zealand

^*Author for correspondence: gwt2@waikato.ac.nz

Abstract Following the prohibition in New Zealand of lobster snares in late 2005, we undertook research to compare the frequency and extent of injuries to rock lobsters (Jasus edwardsii) (Hutton) caused by recreational SCUBA divers using lobster snares compared with hand collection. Rock lobsters were sampled between January 2006 and October 2006 from multiple dive sites around the North Island of New Zealand. Of the 124 rock lobsters caught, 20.9% were in a soft shell state. Female rock lobsters constituted 43.5% of the catch, but only one was carrying eggs. Female mean tail width was 72.2 mm; male mean tail width was 71.9 mm. We found that hand collection caused significantly more injuries than snare collection, to both soft shell and hard shell animals. Hand collection also resulted in more major injuries, with 18% of hard shell animals and 31% of soft shell animals losing two or more limbs. We recommend that the prohibition on the use of rock lobster snares be lifted, as their use appears to significantly reduce injury and stress to rock lobsters in recreational dive areas, and increase the survival of undersized individuals released after capture.

Keywords autotomy; crayfish; lassos; red rock lobster; spiny lobster

Z09001; Online publication date 27 March 2009
Received 7 January 2009; accepted 16 February 2009

New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 2009, Vol. 36: 83–87
0301–4223/09/3602–0083 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2009

---

PDF file of entire paper: Print-quality (1000K) | screen-quality (590K)

---

This year's abstracts | Journal home page | All abstracts | Publishing home page