Marking and tagging of the Southern rock lobster Jasus novaehollandiae Holthius off Tasmania |
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| Authors: | R H Wlnstanley |
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| Institution: | 1. Fisheries Division, Department of Agriculture , Hobart, Tasmania;2. Fisheries &3. Wildlife Division , Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research , 123 Brown Street, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Dart tags used in field studies of rock lobster growth rates were unsuccessful because only 19% were retained after 2 y. Tags dislodged at moulting, their nylon shafts broke, and they caused lasting deformities and necrosis in the abdomen. Adverse effects on growth and reproduction were noted. Other marking techniques (tail punching and pleopod clipping) enabled rock lobsters of total carapace lengths greater than 40 mm to be marked according to size and month of marking. Marks were discernible and could be interpreted up to 2 y after marking, although the original shapes of marks were not distinguishable after the second or third moult. The methods are well suited to studies of the growth of juvenile and adult rock lobsters, if sampling is done by people trained to recognise the marks. |
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