Effect of stocking density and shelter on growth and mortality of early juvenile Jasus edwardsii held in captivity

Abstract

The effects of stocking density and the presence of shelter on the growth and mortality of early juvenile spiny lobsters, Jasus edwardsii, were determined over periods of 118 and 162 days respectively. Growth in length and weight were significantly slower with increasing stocking densities from 50 to 200 m^–2, but overall mortality rates were very low and exhibited no difference amongst the densities tested. Conversely, shelter appeared to help to maintain high survival rates in early juvenile lobsters but had no effect on growth throughout the experiment. For maximum growth and survival in a commercial aquaculture operation, densities of 50 to 100 m^–2, and adequate shelter would be recommended for early juvenile spiny lobsters. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to aquaculture of this species.