Finding lobsters: investigating a period of unusually low settlement of

Context Spiny lobsters are critically affected by ocean current movements over their long journey from hatching to swimming post-larvae (puerulus). Methods Isolating three different larval stages of the Western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus), we have applied three-dimensional larval-dispersal modelling techniques Aims To better understand a period unusually low puerulus settlement in late 2000s. Key results Model showed that transport mechanisms assisting pueruli reaching nearshore habitats may been inhibited strengthening southward-flowing Leeuwin Current austral summer at stage. As result, modelled were transported significantly less northward, some cases southward, during and after settlement. Hatching-stage trajectories also suggest increased dispersal off coast 2007 2008, transporting larvae further offshore possibly contributing decreased recruits into fishery. Conclusions Our study distinguishes influence circulation patterns Australia on stages. Implications Larval pueruli, therefore, provides possible explanation for changes past two decades future considerations.