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Since the fishery opened on Sunday, I'm gonna start with Lobsters!
In Saint Lucia, we have 4 species of lobster that are commonly seen or caught
1. Slipper Lobster/"Sapat"
2. Red Banded Lobster
3. Spotted Lobster/"Gwi gwi"
4. Caribbean Spiny Lobster/ "Homa"
1. Slipper Lobster/"Sapat"
2. Red Banded Lobster
3. Spotted Lobster/"Gwi gwi"
4. Caribbean Spiny Lobster/ "Homa"
However, the Panulirus argus, the Caribbean Spiny Lobster is the most commonly caught, and is most likely what you've eaten as lobster in Saint Lucia
The Spiny Lobster is said to be one of the world's most valuable and highly prized seafood, and is one of the most valuable exports for small Caribbean countries.
In Saint Lucia, the lobster fishery provides employment, and is the seafood of choice for local hotels and restaurants.. Aka $$$
For us to effectively and sustainably manage our fishery, we need to understand the ecology and life cycle of this species, as understanding what is the size and status of our local population
First off, why are they called "spiny"?
Well.. They are spiny.
They have forward facing spines/spikes all along their carapace (that first section of shell after the head; the "back") and on their antenna, that protect them from predators
Well.. They are spiny.
They have forward facing spines/spikes all along their carapace (that first section of shell after the head; the "back") and on their antenna, that protect them from predators
Another interesting fact about Panulirus argus is that they are not "true lobsters", as they don't have claws, but instead have tufts of chemoreceptive setae (think hairs) and use the setae and a complex nervous system to find food.
Spiny lobsters go through 4 life stages, from pelagic larvae to benthic adults, and we know how that starts
Most breeding and spawning occurs during the months of March - June.
The male seeks out a mate and deposits a spermatophore or "tar spot" onto the sternum of the female. When she is ready, she releases her eggs while scratching the tar spot to release sperm to fertilise the eggs.
The male seeks out a mate and deposits a spermatophore or "tar spot" onto the sternum of the female. When she is ready, she releases her eggs while scratching the tar spot to release sperm to fertilise the eggs.
She attachs the fertilised eggs to fine hairs on the small swimming legs under her tail. She is now "berried"
These eggs remain with the female until they hatch. She protects them from predators, and fans them with water. If these eggs are removed from the mother, they will die.
In about a month, these eggs are now a dark brown colour, and are ready to hatch.
In about a month, these eggs are now a dark brown colour, and are ready to hatch.
Freshly hatched lobster larvae look absolutely nothing like their parents. They have flat, clear bodies with long thin legs, almost like a spider. At this stage they are too small for directional movement, and so drift in the open ocean as "plankton" for 12 months or more.
They are known to molt 11 times while floating in the water column.
When they are ready to settle, they molt into "swimming pueruli". The pueruli begin to move inshore to mangroves and seagrass beds, where they molt again to finally settle and become benthic juveniles
When they are ready to settle, they molt into "swimming pueruli". The pueruli begin to move inshore to mangroves and seagrass beds, where they molt again to finally settle and become benthic juveniles
Young lobster are solitary, but soon begin aggregating and moving back off shore to coral reefs where they will likely spend the rest of their lives.Spiny lobsters in the wild live on average 12-20 years,and it's estimated that they reach maturity by the time they are 2 years old
As adults, lobster molt when necessary for growth, but molting frequency decreases as they get older
Adult lobster are found from shallow water to as deep as 90 meters (295. 2 feet). They feed on slow moving, often sedentary organisms, like bivalves, chiton, gastropods (snails), small crustaceans, etc, and carrion, or fish from the ocean floor.
Newly hatched lobsters are snacks for everyone big enough to eat them. Very few survive to adulthood, so female lobsters may lay 500,000 to 2 million eggs once or twice a season.
Larger lobsters are eaten by fish, sharks, rays, turtles, moray eels, octopuses, and other crustaceans, and of course humans!
