Key Issues for Sustaining Aquaculture Production of the Spiny Lobster, Panulirus ornatus, in Vietnam

摘要

The grow-out of juvenile P. ornatus in Vietnam has created a substantial industry, and delivered new and lucrative livelihoods to coastal communities. However, urgent attention must now be paid to identifying: (1) the population of spiny lobsters that supplies the puerulus larvae; and (2) the sustainable rates of catch for both pueruli and adults. Recommended catch rates can be expected to change from year to year due to environmental factors affecting settlement that are beyond the control of managers. Assessments also need to be made about how to use the spiny lobster resource in the best interests of the country. Given the considerable gains in survival of juveniles that is possible through aquaculture, leading to substantial increases in production, reductions in the catch of adults may need to be considered to promote the supply of puerulus larvae for growout. Provided that the juveniles can be reared in ways that do not have adverse effects on other species, this may lead to a new paradigm for fishing for spiny lobsters, by way of exploiting the juveniles and safeguarding the adults.