Domingue, G. (1996). Spiny lobster fishery around the Mahe Plateau. November 1995-Janaury 1996. Results and analysis presentation. Tech. Rep. Seychelles Fishing Authority 40. 48pp.

6083

Domingue, G.

1996

40: 48

Publication

ASFA abstract only

This report reviews the spiny lobster fishery on the Mahe Plateau during the 1995-1996 fishing season. Following recommendation made after the 1994-1995 season the lobster fishing season was again re-opened for the fourth consecutive year. As in the 1994-1995 fishing season the 1995-1996 season was opened over a three months period. The monitoring programme set up in 1992 was continued to gather more information on the spiny lobster stock so as to improve the management of this resource around the Mahe Plateau. A total of 26 applications were made for licenses to fish for lobster, however, only 23 applicants were granted licenses after paying the required license fee. Some 17 licenses were bought by fishermen from Mahe, 4 by fishermen from La Digue and 2 by fishermen on Praslin. In the previous fishing season (1994-1995) 33 licenses to fish for lobsters were purchased. Snorkeling remained the dominant technique for catching lobsters; 21 fishermen used it as the sole method of fishing lobsters whilst two fishermen used a combination of both snorkeling and traps to catch lobsters. A total of 2.4 tonnes of lobsters were estimated to have been landed over the 3-month open season compared to 4.1 tonnes for the same period in the 1994-1995 season. Mahe accounted for the largest share of the total catch with 1,620 kg (67.5%) followed by Praslin with 523 kg (21.8%) and La Digue with 145.8 kg (6.1%). The balance is made up of catch from other areas such as Silhouette, North Island and Fregate. A catch of 700 kg was landed in November, 1,100 kg landed in December and 600 kg landed in January. Altogether a total of 176 trips were undertaken, the equivalent of 454 man-trips, for the season; with 60 trips in November, 74 trips in December and 42 trips in January. The snorkeling and trap capture methods represented 98% and 2% of the catch respectively. The catch per unit of effort (CPUE) for November through to January was: 1.7 kg/trip (November); 14.9 kg/trip (December); 14.3 kg/trip (January). Three main species were targeted: Panulirus penicillatus; Panulirus longipes; Panulirus versicolor.

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