Abstract

The Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) is the most valuable marine species along the entire intertropical area of the western Adantic. Panulirus argus represents 54 % of the world catch of Palinuridae, about 39,700 tons. From 1996 to 1998, I managed an ecological monitoring program and conducted growout experiments on spiny lobsters in Martinique, to evaluate the state of the stock and the potential enhancement in the West French Indies. Postlarval supply, as measured on surface collectors, is modelate and continuous throughout the year, and tbroughout the shallow water habitats. However, juveniles are rare in the wild and can not be concentrated or Protected by artificial habitats. Three non-exclusive marine reserves exist in Guadeloupe, but there are none in Martinique, nor is there any biological monitoring of neritic populations, or of shallow water nurseries. In fact, the decline of P. argus stock seems to be inexorable. In absence of any enforcement of fishery regulations (established since 1970), the artisanal fishery is largely unregulated and now impacts juveniles as much as adult spiny lobsters. All significant local markets are provided by imports of live (St-Vincent, Grenadines) and flOzen (Cuba) P. argus. Given the dire status of the wild population near Martinique, the potential for future juvenile culture is theoretically good but still limited by the availability of an adequate and inexpensive lobster food. There is much that can be accomplished in further applied research studies, but I strongly recommend that local elected representatives work: for respect of pragmatic regulations and the education of younger geneJations on the envilOnmental plOblems facing Martinique and Guadeloupe.

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