Lobster Fisheries

Lobster fisheries represent some of the most iconic and valuable fisheries in the world. This chapter provides an overview of the commercial species of lobster in the families Palinuridae, Nephropidae, and Scyllaridae, commonly known as spiny, clawed, and slipper lobsters, respectively. Together, in 2015 these fisheries comprised about 14% of the economic value of crustacean fisheries globally. While the clawed lobster fisheries rank as the world’s most productive lobster fisheries, the spiny and slipper lobster fisheries are by far the most diverse. Notably, the clawed lobsters of the genera Homarus and Nephrops of the cool, temperate North Atlantic dominate world lobster production, whereas fisheries for the spiny lobster genera Panulirus, Palinurus, and Jasus and two slipper lobster genera, Thenus and Scyllarides, span much of the world’s tropical and warm temperate coastal zones. The review starts with a description of the distinguishing features of the biology and life history of the three families, including a geographic overview of their fisheries and how they are managed. Then discussed are the challenges confronting lobster fishing industries, fishery managers, and scientists in a changing ecosystem and global economy. The chapter closes by identifying directions for future research to address these challenges. Although space precludes an exhaustive review of all 27 commercial lobster fisheries recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), consistent and compelling themes emerge across the well-studied fisheries. Where long-term fisheries and environmental data time series have accumulated, it is evident that the geographic ranges of the productive segments of the fisheries are shifting poleward, forcing fishery scientists to reconsider long-held assumptions of stationarity common in stock assessment. These changes, in concert with the sometimes unpredictable forces of a global economy, have become a driving force for new innovations in the business and management of lobster fisheries.