Analyses of the Fisheries Independent Monitoring Survey data for the rock lobster resource of South Africa to include the 2022/23 season

Analyses of FIMS results are updated to include data for the 2022/23 season. FIMS analyses for various carapace lengths splits of the FIMS data are considered. Results show an increase from the previous season’s index for the FIMS relative abundance index for the Cape Point Zone for carapace length classes ≥60 cm, 60-74 cm and <75 cm and a decrease for carapace length classes of <60 cm and ≥75 cm. Results show a decrease for all other Zones (Dassen Island, Saldanha Bay and Lambert’s Bay) and all length classes considered. The exception is a minimal increase for Dassen Island for the lobster carapace length class ≥75 cm. The percentage of females, when compared to the previous season, has decreased in the Saldanha Bay and Lambert’s Bay Zones but increased in the Dassen Island Zone and marginally increased in the Cape Point Zone.