Abstract
Knowledge of larval dispersal, population dynamics and connectivity in relation to the management and conservation of commercially important species is vital if existing fisheries are to remain sustainable into the future. Larval dispersal of the commercially exploited spiny lobster, Palinurus elephas, was modelled from Marine Protected Areas located in the southwest of England for a 16-month period using a General Individuals Transport Model (GITM). The model included physical particle advection based on current fields from a 3D hydrodynamics model and a larval behaviour module. Our results demonstrate the overall dispersal patterns of P. elephas larvae and highlight populations capable of self-seeding and those which are seemingly reliant on larvae from more distant populations. The results indicate where further research may be required to fully understand how populations of P. elephas are maintained at regional, national and international scales while providing us with the opportunity to discuss the effectiveness of current approaches to conservation and fisheries management.
Highlights
IntroductionThere are two species of spiny lobster, Palinurus elephas and Palinurus mauritanicus, that have been recorded in UK landings
Background, Aims, and ApproachThere are two species of spiny lobster, Palinurus elephas and Palinurus mauritanicus, that have been recorded in UK landings
This study aims to assess the dispersal of P. elephas larvae and identify connectivity of key populations and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that may support P. elephas in the southwest of England using a General Individuals Transport Model (GITM)
Summary
There are two species of spiny lobster, Palinurus elephas and Palinurus mauritanicus, that have been recorded in UK landings. P. elephas has traditionally been the preferred target of inshore fisheries due to its accessibility and high commercial value (Goñi and Latroutte, 2005; Babbucci et al, 2010). P. elephas inhabits shallow waters to a depth of 200 m (Groeneveld et al, 2013) and is fished throughout its distribution along the eastern Atlantic coast from Norway to Morocco and throughout the Mediterranean (Kittaka and Ikegami, 1988; Holthuis, 1991; Goñi et al, 2003; Babbucci et al, 2010). The collapse of P. elephas population abundance within southwest fisheries has been attributed to a change in capture gear from pots and traps to the use of less selective tangle and trammel nets (Hepper, 1977; Goñi and Latroutte, 2005; Amengual-Ramis et al, 2016).
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