Catch structure of Lobsters in Southeastern Madagascar

Majority of domestic catch of lobsters in Madagascar is found in Southeast coast. In this Island, 5 species of lobsters are present (Panulirus homarus, P. longipes, P. ornatus, P. penicillatus, P, versicolor) and the P.... [ view full abstract ]

Majority of domestic catch of lobsters in Madagascar is found in Southeast coast. In this Island, 5 species of lobsters are present (Panulirus homarus, P. longipes, P. ornatus, P. penicillatus, P, versicolor) and the P. longipes and P. homarus dominate the catch. The fishing technics are totally small-scale (traditional) – by trap, snorkeling and net. Data from regional fisheries authority reports catches have declined, likely due to over-exploitation.

Data from 2000 to 2017 show that catch trend has decreased but not very strong (r²=0,3) and the annual catch is around 200 tonnes. Surplus model analysis of this data show also that lobster stock in this region is fully exploited. Data from socio-economic survey and catch survey show that CPUE per canoe per day is still benefit for fisherman during the last 3 years (CPUE = 1,22 per canoe per day). Seasonality Test of the catch confirms as well that the maximum of the production happens in January and in April to May. The test shows that 70.91% of production are dependant on the season. Those results are very important and used to regularly verify the duration and the season of national closure, in additional to the reproduction data.

Key word: Lobsters, Southeast coast Madagascar, catch, seasonality.