Minimum Size of Mature Spiny Lobsters, Panulirus argus, at Dry Tortugas, Florida

摘要

Of 1,594 female lobsters examined during April 1973-1975, 55% were bearing eggs (berried). The specimens ranged in carapace length from 39 mm to 140 min. No berried females were found with carapace lengths less than 78 min. Maturity was reached by one half of the females in the 86-95 mm size class. The current minimum legal size for sport and commercial lobster fishing in Florida is 76-mm carapace length.