Medina, Ana G.

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    Determining the age-size relationship of Panulirus argus in the southwest area of Puerto Rico
    (2024-05-16) Medina, Ana G.; Cruz Motta, Juan J.; College of Arts and Sciences - Sciences; Courtney, Travis A.; Matthews, Thomas R.; Department of Biology; Morales Benítez, José J.
    The Caribbean Spiny Lobster, alongside the queen conch, holds the highest economic value in Puerto Rico's fisheries. Given its considerable importance in commercial fishing, there are concerns regarding its potential overexploitation. Accurate information regarding the Caribbean Spiny Lobster population is crucial for conducting stock assessments. Parameters such as size, weight, age, and growth are vital for comprehending the dynamics of a population. This study aimed to estimate the age structure of P. argus in southwest Puerto Rico using ossicles and to establish length-age and weight-age relationships critical for stock assessment. A total of 100 lobsters were collected across southwest Puerto Rico and processed for aging using ossicles, but only 35 lobsters yielded consistent ages with high confidence between readers. Carapace lengths ranged from 60 to 140 mm, weights ranged from 191 to 1945 g, and ages ranged from 1.5 to 6.5 years across all lobsters with no detectable differences between male and female lobsters. Despite the uncertainty around the estimates of age with only 35 samples, this study shows great potential to determine age in P. argus and contribute valuable data for stock assessments and the management of this population. Results showed positive relationships between age and carapace length, age and weight, and carapace length and weight. Von Bertalanffy growth models indicated varying growth rates and maximum lengths among different populations around the Caribbean. While this method benefits higher latitude populations, its application in the Caribbean warrant’s further investigation. The study's findings contribute valuable data for stock assessments and management of P. argus in Puerto Rico, highlighting the need for continued research and collaboration for sustainable fisheries management.