Volume 57
Spatial and Temporal Variations in Postlarval Settlement of the Spiny Lobster, Panulirus argus, between 1992 and 2003 within Cas Cay/Mangrove Lagoon and Great St. James Marine Reserve, St. Thomas USVI
Authors
Gordon, S.; Vásquez, J. Download PDF Open PDF in BrowserOther Information
Date: November, 2004
Pages: 823-832
Event: Proceedings of the Fifty Seventh Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
City: St. Petersburg, Florida
Country: USA
Abstract
Postlarval settlement of the commercially important Caribbean spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, was monitored at five sites within the Cas Cay/Mangrove Lagoon and Great St. James Marine Reserves on the southeast side of St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands. Over a period of one year, a total of 202 postlarvae (pueruli = 57; juveniles = 145) were collected from 270 samples for a combined mean annual CPUE of 0.07 (± 0.19) pueruli/collector/day for all sites. Overall CPUE was low despite location within the protected waters of the marine reserves. The highest settlement occurred at Nazareth Bay, which had a mean annual CPUE of 0.18 (± 0.35). Month to month variability was low, although there appears to be a seasonal peak occurring in late spring (May). The highest recruitment levels occurred between new moon and first quarter moon phases. Postlarval settlement declined among common sites between 1992 - 1993 (combined mean annual CPUE = 0.20 ± 0.29), 1997 - 1998 (combined mean annual CPUE = 0.15 ± 0.30) and 2002 - 2003 (combined mean annual CPUE = 0.07 ± 0.19). Spatial differences in settle-ment over time indicated that pre-settlement pueruli were most likely influenced by changes in habitat, and water movement.