Developing a cost-effective puerulus collector for the southern rock lobster ( Jasus edwardsii) aquaculture industry

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.