Modelling seasonal and annual variation in size at functional maturity in the European lobster (Homarus gammarus) from self-sampling data

Abstract

Fishers from Le Croisic (France) measure all the lobsters (Homarus gammarus) they capture, indicating their sex and whether the females are ovigerous or non-ovigerous. Between 2003 and 2006 and mainly between April and September, 16 884 lobsters were measured in this manner. These self-sampled data were used to study catchability and functional maturity of lobsters. The sex ratio was 50%, and catchability did not change if a female was ovigerous or non-ovigerous. With the help of a logistic function, a relationship was established between body size and the proportion of ovigerous females. For the study area, 100% of the females were mature upon reaching a carapace length (CL) of 115 mm, and the proportion of ovigerous females reached 70% each year. The L50 value evolved over a CL of 103-106 mm. From the size when 100% of the females matured (115 mm), there was a larger proportion of ovigerous females than in other studies carried out in more northern European areas. © 2009 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Published by Oxford Journals. All rights reserved.