In July 1993, a program was initiated by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and the South Australian Rock Lobster Research Association (SARLRA) to study the population dynamics of the Southern Rock Lobster.  The study fitted with, and became part of, the tri-state strategic research direction for Southern Rock Lobster.  The program is intended to provide a scientific basis for management of the fishery and reflected concerns of potential over-exploitation in the face of increasing fishing effort and fishing power.  The program includes data collection and analysis at the recruit level as well as modelling of populations and catch forecasting.   Requirements for such analyses include spatial and temporal data on growth, recruitment, and fecundity.  

 

This report details the first part of a study aimed at enhancing the resolution of such data by establishing a field condition index for the Southern Rock Lobster.  The work also included the establishment of a system for moult staging in this species.  The condition assessment methods tested here include tissue RNA DNA ratios, lipid and protein content.