PATTERNS IN LANDINGS AND SIZE COMPOSITION OF JASUS-VERREAUXI (EDWARDS,H.MILNE, 1851) (DECAPODA, PALINURIDAE), IN WATERS OFF NEW-SOUTH-WALES, AUSTRALIA

Available information suggests that the relative abundance of the New South Wales' spiny lobster stock, exploited since at least 1873, has d eclined or er the past 20 years. Annual landings fluctuated until 1948 -49 but have fallen in most yeats since. Data on fishing effort and CP UE were available only for years from 1969-70 onwards. Fishing effort was stable over most years to 1978-79 but has continued to rise since then. CPUE declined over the period for which data were available; thi s was attributed to a fall in the abundance of Jasus verreauxi, since this species comprises around 97% of the commercial catches of lobster s in New South Wales. The lengths of J. verreauxi in catches From comm ercial vessels between 1986 and 1988 varied between locations. The spa tial pattern in annual distributions of lengths suggests that this spe cies may move along-shore. When data from all sites were combined, onl y 10% of the J. verreauxi sampled were longer than the smallest length at which 50% of females carry eggs (166.5 mm CL). Although the optimu m level of fishing effort could not be determined from tile available data, the patterns in landings, effort, and CPUE suggest that measures are necessary to conserve this resource until estimates of maximum su stainable yield and optimum fishing effort can be determined.