Environmental effects on recruitment of the western rock lobster, Panulirus cygnus

Abstract

The Leeuwin Current, which brings warm, nutrient-poor waters southward along the edge of the West Australian continental shelf, is positively correlated with western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus) puerulus settlement along the coast. Westerly winds, also positively correlated with puerulus settlement, probably assist the transport of larvae to the coast during settlement. We examined relationships between (a) monthly sea-surface temperature where phyllosoma larvae occur – and annual levels of puerulus settlement at locations throughout the fishery and (b) monthly variation in Leeuwin Current strength (and westerly winds) and annual puerulus settlement later in the year (August–January). The Leeuwin Current, when it begins to strengthen during February–April, was highly correlated with puerulus settlement; sea-surface temperature during this period may have strongly influenced puerulus settlement at many locations. Its influence on puerulus settlement may have been due to improved larval survival and growth caused by higher water temperatures associated with a stronger Leeuwin Current in April or to increased retention of larvae close to the coast. In years when the southward-flowing Leeuwin Current was very strong, settlement in the southern locations was relatively higher than that farther north. In years of strong puerulus settlement, settlement also occurred earlier in the season.