Acronym LOBASSESS
Category
Fisheries
Title Norway lobster stocks in Portugal: bases for assessment using production information and larval ecology Programme Nat. Programme (supported by ESIF)
Instrument (FP6)
Contact Type (FP7)
Strand (Interreg)
NA
Theme (FP7)
Activity Area (FP6)
Regional Area (Interreg)
Action (COST)
NA
Specific Programme (FP7)
NA
Funding source National-European Coordinator Henry Queiroga Coordinator email NA
Coordinator institution
IPIMAR - Portuguese Institute for Fisheries and Sea Research (Portugal)
Institutions involved
UAlg - University of Algarve (Portugal) ,
UA - University of Aveiro (Portugal) ,
Start year 2005 End year 2008 Funding (€) € 89,500 Website https://www.cesam-la.pt/projetos/lobassess-stocks-de-lagostim-em-portugal-bases-para-a-avaliacao-usando-informacao-de-producao-e-ecologia-larvar/ Summary "Nephrops norvegicus is one of the most valuable fishing resources in Portugal. According to the ICES Nephrops Working Group report, Portuguese stocks require urgent management measures. However, currently applied assessment methods are not suitable for this benthic species with a strong and persistent spatial structure. Furthermore, local populations are subject to exchange of individuals through the dispersal of larvae, which can contribute to the stability of stocks. These aspects have been neglected in the evaluation and management plans for this resource. The LobAssess project will develop an independent biomass estimate for one of the Portuguese stocks of this species (Functional Unit 28 (FU28), southwest coast), based on the annual larval production method. This method does not present the limitations of available assessment tools (eg VPA, LCA) developed for traditional fish stocks. This new assessment will be compared with the values produced by current methods. The project will also estimate larval flow rates over FU 28 and exchanges with neighboring areas, through the development of a numerical model that integrates information on circulation components with larval behavior. Conclusions about the origin of the larvae to be recruited in FU 28 will be supported by genetic analyzes using markers specially developed for this species.
The specific objectives of the LobAsses project are organized into 8 tasks: 1 Larval production and mortality 2 Population biology 3 Stock assessment 4 Genetics 5 Modeling of larval dispersal 6 Dispersion and vertical migration of larvae 7 Management measures 8 Scientific coordination and organization of workshops. The LobAssess project will improve knowledge on larval ecology of deep-sea species, a subject that has been neglected by marine biologists. The project will use an assessment method appropriate for the species and produce suggestions for management measures taking into account connectivity between local populations. This project is expected to produce a more accurate assessment of Portuguese stocks, which can serve as a basis for realistic and socially acceptable management measures."
Keywords
Stock assessment;
Larval dispersion;
Genetic;
Lobster;
Biology;
Crustacean;
Fisheries management;
Shellfish;
Larvae;
Marine Region
38
Portuguese Waters (27.IXa,27.IXb)
1
Marine Region Map
