Analyses of the Fisheries Independent Monitoring Survey data for the west coast rock lobster resource of South Africa to include the 2023/24 season

Analyses of FIMS results are updated to include data for the 2023/24 season. FIMS analyses for various carapace lengths splits of the FIMS data are considered. Results show a decrease 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, <75 cm and ≥75 cm, and an increase for carapace length classes of <60 cm. Results show a decrease for Dassen Island for all length classes considered. Saldanha Bay and Lambert’s Bay show an increase for all length classes. The percentage of females, when compared to the previous season, has decreased in the Dassen Island, Saldanha Bay and Lambert’s Bay Zones, but increased in the Cape Point Zone.