Developing a cost-effective
puerulus collector for the southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii)
aquaculture industry
D. Mills, B. Crear-2004
Aquacultural Engineering, 31(1-2): 1-15
Abstract:
Due to the extended duration of larval development,
commercial rock lobster aquaculture is proceeding through the harvest of
wild pueruli. Puerulus collectors appropriate for commercial use were
developed by: (i) obtaining information on appropriate collection materials
from industry and past research; (ii) directly comparing catch rates from
these materials; and (iii) designing and comparing collectors appropriate
for large-scale commercial deployment built with selected materials. Jasus
edwardsii pueruli settled on a variety of materials often bearing little
resemblance to their natural habitat. ‘Bottlebrush’ collectors
constructed from shade cloth and PVC conduit proved robust, easy to service
and were relatively cost effective. ‘Sandwich’ collectors with
filamentous material caught most pueruli, and required a shorter
conditioning time than other collectors, but were heavy and relatively
expensive to build. Loss of pueruli from collectors being hauled to the sea
surface was minimal. Whilst providing details for the construction of
cost-effective collectors, we also advocate a ‘hands on’ approach to
designing collectors based on materials readily available to prospective
farmers.
(Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute,
University of Tasmania, Private Bag 49, Hobart 7001, Australia, e-mail: David.Mills@utas.edu.au)