Long-term monitoring protocol of Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus): Protocol narrative—Version 1.0

Richter, Lee; Feeley, Michael; Atkinson, Andrea; Patterson, Judd; Davis, Andy; Miller, Jeff

This Long-term monitoring protocol of Caribbean Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus): Protocol narrative v. 1.0 provides a technical background and detailed description of monitoring and assessment methods for Caribbean Spiny Lobster populations in Florida and the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). The protocol draws strongly from the SFCN Reef Fish Monitoring Protocols for Florida and the Virgin Islands, and from the findings of a 25-year long lobster (Panulirus ornatus) monitoring program in Torres Strait, Australia. The goal of this monitoring protocol is to build a statistically robust and cost-effective monitoring program with methods applicable at the park level. Estimates of population-level metrics such as a relative density index and average length are used to inform park managers of the status of spiny lobster within their park boundaries and evaluate any potential management actions. The Caribbean spiny lobster is one of the most economically important fisheries in both Florida and the USVI. The crustacean is under substantial recreational and commercial fishing pressure in the regions and in some cases within park boundaries. The monitoring methodologies described in this document will allow us to understand the status and trends of spiny lobster populations in the parks. This knowledge is critical for informed sustainable management. The monitoring program objectives focus on estimating a population level relative density index, frequency of occurrence index, and average size of spiny lobster and using these metrics to assess changes through time. Changes in these metrics can be evaluated after each survey season and with respect to habitat features, physical environment, and management actions. Survey sites are selected from a gridded sample frame using a stratified random sample design with an even sample allocation across strata initially. Florida parks (Biscayne National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park) use a 100 × 100 meter (328 × 328 feet [ft]) sample grid from A Cooperative Multi-agency Reef Fish Monitoring Protocol for the Florida Keys Coral Reef Ecosystem (Brandt et al. 2009). The USVI parks (Buck Island Reef National Monument, Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve, and Virgin Islands National Park) use a 50 × 50 meter (164 × 164 ft) sample grid from A Cooperative Multiagency Reef Fish Monitoring Protocol for the U.S. Virgin Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem (Bryan et al. 2013). Sites are selected using a uniform probability distribution within each stratum. Field methods for lobster surveys consist of one set of paired 7.5 meter (24.6 ft) radius circular plots per site. All lobsters within the plot are counted and sizes estimated. Lobsters are then captured and biological conditions (e.g., sex, presence of eggs) are recorded. The lobsters are then released. Surveys take place inside park boundaries, unless a park specifically requests that surveys are completed in a limited defined area outside the park for assessment of management zones (no-take reserves). Detailed methods used to accomplish the monitoring objectives are detailed in related Standard Operating Procedures.

Long-term monitoring protocol of Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus): Protocol narrative—Version 1.0

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