Download FAR 2018/32 – Trends in surplus production in New Zealand rock lobster stocks (Jasus edwardsii)

For seven lobster stocks (Jasus edwardsii), surplus production was calculated from total catch, standardised CPUE and catchability and their errors. Production declined in all stocks, 1979–2015. A parabolic model predicted production from biomass and sea temperature with various lags between temperature and production. Temperature and biomass explained some but not all variability in annual production. Declining lobster productivity has implications for industry, stock assessment and management.