Estimates of the stocks of the spiny lobster Panulirus polyphagus (Herbst) in the trawling grounds off Bombay

Abstract

Panulinrs polyphagus is one of the major species contributing about 87.2% to the average annual landings of 341 tonma of the spiny lobsters landed at 6 seleded lobster landing centres of this country duripg 1978-85. 'Ihis particular species is landed in 4 of those selected centres and among then: Bombay contributed as much as 63.67% to it. Stock studies reveal that tote1 mortality coefficient 'Z' is 1.76 for males and 1.15 for females. Growth parameters determined by Kagwade (1987 a) are made use of in estimating the natural mortality coefficient 'M', the values of which are 0.33 for males and 0.35 for females. The fishing mortality coefficient 'F' deduced from these, equals 1.43 for males and 0.80 for females. The total stock estimated is 452.66 t, the standing stock is 271.12 t, and the maximum sustainable yield is 168.42 t.