Recreational fishery and population dynamics of spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, in Florida Bay, Everglades National Park, 1977-1980
Davis GE and Dodrill JW. 1989. Recreational fishery and population dynamics of spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, in Florida Bay, Everglades National Park, 1977-1980. Bulletin of Marine Science. 44(1):78-88
The population dynamics and recreational fishery of spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, was studied within the Florida Bay portion of Everglades National Park from 1977 to 1980. Juvenile and adult lobsters were captured at seven sites by hand, trap, and snare. Data are presented on length, reproductive condition, and injuries; lobsters larger than 35 mm CL were tagged. Based on field studies of 3570 tagged specimens, lobsters pass through Florida Bay using it for approximately three years as juveniles and support commercial and recreational fisheries outside of Everglades National Park from Dry Tortugas to Miami. Growth rates of juveniles are the highest on record and suggested to be due to optimum habitat with abundant food and shelter. It was found that the recreational fishery harvested about 20,000 and 44,000 lobsters during the 78-79 and 79-80 seasons, respectively. In 1980 a nursery sanctuary was established in the Florida Bay portion of Everglades National Park. Study Period: 1977-1980; Study Type: Semi-quantitative; Habitat: Grassbeds, sand, mud, rock, coral; Biological Component: Decapod crustacea; Number of Stations: 7; Temporal Frequency: Monthly; Abiotic Parameters Measured: Salinity, temperature, turbidity; Gear Types: Hand, snare, trap, trawl; Dominant Taxon/Taxa Studied: Panulirus argus.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Davis, Gary; Dodrill, Jon
- Units
- BISC , EVER
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Everglades National Park, Florida Bay, Growth, Movement (Animal), Reproduction, Size, Tagging