Consultation on Management of the Lobster Fishery

Consultation on Management of the Lobster Fishery

Purpose of this consultation

This consultation is to gather views on the current management practices of the fishery and on proposed changes to the practices. The information received will assist in formulating future policy.

Lobster Fishing in Ireland

See analysis in the Annex.

Existing Regulations

Currently there are two legal restrictions which provide protection to the lobster stock:

(1) Minimum landing size of 87mm;

(2) Prohibition on fishing v-notched lobsters, all of which are over 87mm.

The minimum landing size protects juvenile lobster and allows some spawning to occur before lobsters enter the fishery. The v-notch regulation prohibits the landing of v-notched lobsters until the notch is repaired by growth (usually occurs over 2-4 years) thus allowing such lobsters to contribute to spawning and thereby promote sustainability of the lobster stock.

Problem

Recent stock assessments, and evaluation of the existing conservation measures, indicate that spawning stock is not adequately protected and recruitment to lobster stocks may be impaired. Accordingly, the Minister is now considering the introduction of additional measures. A comprehensive explanation of the pros and cons of each proposed measure is set out in the Annex.

Policy Proposals

Two alternative options are being considered:

A)Introduce a maximum landing size of 127mm.

If such a measure was introduced no lobster over 127mm could be landed. Lobsters of this size weigh approximately 1.3kg. The main effect of this measure would be to protect large lobsters which are valuable spawners and to give longer term protection to fish that may have been v-notched but where the lobster has repaired or is repairing the notch.

OR

B)Increase the minimum landing size from 87mm to 90mm.

Increasing the minimum size to 90mm would create the opportunity for more stock reproduction before lobsters are fished for the marketplace.

The analysis set out in the Annex considers the pros and cons of each option.

Weare asking for your views on these proposals which you can outline in the separate submission form and post or email to the addresses provided or alternatively you can respond online at The closing date for submissions is now extended until 25 October 2013.

Annex

Analysis of conservation measures

Characteristics of Irish lobster stocks

Data in Figure 1 shows the size of lobsters and v-notched lobsters in the catch (including undersized lobsters) in the period 2009-2012. The average size of v-notched lobsters (109mm) is larger than lobsters that are not notched (96mm).

Figure 1. The size distribution of lobsters sampled at sea on commercial vessels by the Marine Institute during 2009-2012. Current minimum size, a 90mm minimum size and a 127mm maximum size (it would be prohibited to land lobsters above this size) are shown

Figure 2 shows the reproductive potential of lobsters in relation to their size. The reproductive potential measures the spawning contribution of each size class of lobsters. Here it is apparent that only about 6% of the reproductive potential of the stock exists in lobsters below 87mm. This is mainly because few lobsters are mature below this size. About 4% of reproductive potential occurs in non-v-notched lobsters above 127mm and 7% occurs in v-notched lobsters above this size. In the period 2010-2012 approximately 25% of the reproductive potential in the stock was held in v-notched lobsters and 75% in non-v-notched lobsters.V-notched lobsters are important spawners, therefore, but the v-notch only gives them temporary protection.

Figure 2. The % reproductive potential of v-notched and non v-notched lobsters in different size classes.

Some features of the growth and reproductive biology of Irish lobster stocks include.

About 17% of female lobsters are mature at 87mm and 50% of female lobsters are mature at 95mm

The number of eggs produced by large lobsters (approx 30,000) is very much higher than the numbers produced by lobsters at the current legal size (approx 5,000)

Spawning frequency may be higher in large lobsters as growth and moulting slows down

Not all mature lobsters spawn every year. The percentage spawning annually may be 60-70%

The v-notch is repaired in 2-3 moults

Growth at each moult is in the region of 6-7mm but varies substantially and can be as low as 2mm in larger lobsters.

Conservation measures currently in place

The Irish lobster fishery is currently regulated by a minimum legal landing size of 87mm and through a ban on the landing of v-notched lobsters. The minimum size regulation has two functions; it allows lobsters to grow to about 0.4kg before being landed, thereby protecting yield to the fishery. Secondly, and very importantly, it allows some female lobsters to reproduce before they can be caught by the fishery. The v-notch regulation protects, mainly female, lobsters from fishing mortality while they are v-notched and thereby increases spawning potential in the stock.

Are the conservation measures effective?

The minimum size and the v-notch regulations are designed to increase spawning potential in the lobster stock. Stock assessments in 2009, however, showed that egg production in the stock is low and less that 6% of what it would be if the stock was not fished. Egg production of less than 10% is thought to be unsafe and recruitment to the stock may be impaired. The twin regulations of v-notching and the 87mm size limit, therefore, appear to be insufficient to protect stocks at current levels of fishing mortality.

What measures could be taken to increase egg production?

Options for changes in size regulations are presented below. All options assume that v-notching will continue at current rates or higher rates for a number of years. V-notching obviously continues to be an important conservation tool but there are disadvantages; the notch is repaired after 2-3 moults, the numbers of v-notched lobsters in the stock declines quickly if v-notching stops and there is a direct financial cost to the industry and the state.

It is important to note that any new national legislation, to give effect to the options presented below, can be revised in the future as the effectiveness of the measures take hold and as updated stock assessments become available.

Option 1: Introduce a maximum size at 127mm (1.3kg)

Introduction of a maximum size (lobsters above this size could not be landed) would provide increased protection over time to v-notched lobsters as they grew above this measure. Lobsters over 1.3kg in some cases achieve a lower price per kg but produce 6 times more eggs than an 87mm lobster, spawn more frequently and possibly produce higher quality eggs. From a biological perspective this option provides increased protection to the stock and, importantly, creates a refuge for lobsters that are repairing the v-notch as they approach this size. It therefore protects the investment that has recently been made in v-notching.

Pros / Cons
Would increase eggsper recruit from 4.7% to 8.4% of what it would be in an unfished stock / The fish above the maximum size represent permanent lost yield (unless the measure is revoked or changed in the future)
Would increase protection of reproductive potential in the existing stock from 7.3% to 12% / Would reduce landingsby number by 2.7% and 6.7% by weight in the short to medium term
Fish removed by the measure are not preferred by the market / Would not increase egg production sufficiently without v-notching given current levels of effort
In parallel with v-notching the 127mm measure would increase egg production to 10% of what it would be in the unfished stock and which is regarded as the minimum safe level to prevent decline in recruitment / Its effectiveness would be reduced if fishing effort increased (as fewer lobsters would reach the maximum size)
Would provide protection to v-notched lobsters as they grew above the 127mm measure. Currently 12% of v-notched lobsters are larger than 127mm compared to 1% of non-v-notched lobsters.
Would increase protection of reproductive potential in the existing non-v-notched stock from 7.3% to 11.3%
Would become more effective over time as more lobsters reached the size.
If egg production is limiting recruitment then this measure should result in higher catch rates in the medium and long term

Option 2: Increase the minimum size from 87mm to 90mm

An increase to 90mm would have negative impact on the industry in the short term, at least, but also perhaps in the longer term in removing highly marketable fish between 400- 500g from the landings.

Pros / Cons
Would increase eggs per recruit from the current level of 4.7% of what it would be in an unfished stock up to 5.7%. If introduced in parallel with current v-notching rates this measure would increase eggs per recruit to 6.7% of what it would be in an unfished stock. / Would remove part of the size range preferred by the market
Would increase protection of reproductive potential in the existing stock from 7.3% to 12.6% / Would not increase egg production sufficiently by itself or with v-notching at current rates
If low egg production is limiting recruitment then this measure should result in higher catch rates in the medium (within 5 years) and long term / Would reduce catch rates by about 10% by number and 16% by weight in the short term (1-2years)

Option 3: Do neither

Your opinion may be that neither of the options presented are appropriate. In that case you may consider that no additional measures are required or that different measures are needed. In the consultation submission form attached you are invited to provide reasons why you think no additional measures are required or if you think additional measures are needed then to identify your preference in this regard.

If no additional measures are introduced then the current trends in catches and catch rates which are experienced locally by lobster fishermen would be expected to continue. If there are further increases in fishing effort reduced catch rate would be expected. The pros and cons of doing nothing at the current time are as follows.

Pros / Cons
No immediate loss in landings or catch rate / Egg production will remain at current levels which are low and below what is regarded as a safe level
If egg production is limiting recruitment then stock biomass and catch rate will fall in the future
V-notched lobsters will have no protection when the v-notch is repaired
In areas with low participation in the V notching program there is less protection against declining egg production. Continued v-notching depends on continued funding being available

Lobster Management Consultation 20131