Growth of rock lobsters (Jasus edwardsii) in the Gisborne region, New Zealand

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Abstract
Juvenile rock lobsters, Jasus edwardsii, sampled at Gisborne, grew to about 38 mm carapace length (CL) within 1 year of settlement and to about 58 mm CL within 2 years. Annual growth, growth per moult, and moult frequency in the CL range 80–99 mm were determined by tagging for males in 4 areas and for females in 2 areas near Gisborne. There were significant differences in these characteristics between sexes and, for annual growth and growth per moult, between areas for each sex. Growth per moult did not vary significantly between years. Males between 80 and 99 mm CL moulted between September and November, with some further moulting between February and August. Females in the same size range moulted once per year between December and July. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters calculated for males from 3 areas showed that growth on the eastern side of Mania Peninsula was significantly faster than that in the other areas examined.