Influence of habitat enhancement and habitat degradation on spiny lobster populations in the Caribbean: An overview

Spiny lobsters are one of the most valuable fishing resources worldwide. These lobsters have a complex life cycle with a lengthy pelagic phase followed by a lengthier benthic phase, with several habitat shifts in some species. Finding adequate habitats is complicated for these lobsters, as they interact with different prey, predators, and competitors in subsequent habitats. This paper provides an overview of the characteristics of spiny lobster benthic habitats, focusing on two species from the wider Caribbean region, Panulirus argus and P. guttatus. Tropical spiny lobsters are omnivorous; therefore, food is not as limiting a component of habitat as is shelter, on which their survival greatly depends. Indeed, lack of appropriate shelter may result in population bottlenecks. This observation underlies the use of artificial structures (such as “casitas”) to enhance lobster habitats for fisheries and conservation purposes. Pros and potential cons of habitat enhancement are also reviewed. The other side of the coin is habitat degradation. Throughout the wider Caribbean and elsewhere, climate change –mostly resulting from anthropogenic stressors– and coastal development are increasing coastal pollution and eutrophication, seagrass loss, algal blooms, habitat fragmentation, coral reef degradation, and marine diseases, changing the habitat landscapes with potentially dire effects for spiny lobster populations. Because of the different habitats used by these two species throughout their benthic lives, P. guttatus is likely to be more vulnerable to coral reef degradation and the settling postlarvae and early juveniles of P. argus to degradation of seagrass and shallow hard bottom communities. Conservation of appropriate habitats for target species should be considered an important aim of ecosystem-based fisheries management.