WA seafood lovers could be feasting on crayfish in greater numbers within five years after fisheries scientists recorded some of the best juvenile lobster settlement numbers seen in decades.
Record Settlement Season
Scientists from the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development reported one of the strongest western rock lobster puerulus seasons on record, with monitoring sites along the coast showing exceptionally high numbers of tiny crayfish settling onto reefs.
The encouraging results suggest bumper stocks of legal-sized crayfish could be on the way, with the species typically taking about five years to grow big enough to be caught.
Regional Highlights
In the northern sector of the fishery, the Port Gregory monitoring site recorded its best result in eight years, while Margaret River in the south notched its second-highest settlement count since records began there in 1984.
The settlement monitoring program, which began at Seven Mile Beach near Dongara in 1968, tracks puerulus — the stage where lobster larvae transform into tiny juvenile lobsters and settle onto inshore reefs after spending up to 11 months drifting at sea.
Expert Insights
DPIRD principal research scientist Simon de Lestang said the results pointed to excellent catches in coming years, particularly in the South West.
“The catch rate of western rock lobster between the Capes and off Augusta will be very good based on these results, likely due to a strong Leeuwin Current this season,” he said.
Dr de Lestang said warmer ocean temperatures and favourable currents had helped more lobster larvae survive and return to the WA coast.
“Warmer water temperatures are associated with greater settlement success by increasing growth rates and decreasing the length of the larval phase, minimising natural mortality,” he said.
Monitoring Sites
Scientists monitored eight sites between Kalbarri and Margaret River throughout the season, with settlement peaking between August and September.
While central fishery locations including Dongara and Jurien Bay recorded settlement numbers closer to long-term averages, the overall season was one of the strongest seen in recent decades.
