Tails from the islands (1986)

There are five species of rock lobster found in tropical Australian waters, but by far the most abundant is the Ornate Lobster, Panulirus ornatus. This species forms the basis of a dive fishery in both the Torres Strait and in the Gulf of Papua.
Since 1980 researchers from CSIRO and Papua New Guinea''s Department of Primary Industry have been carrying out an extensive research program, tagging the lobsters in order to trace their movements. In the course of the work, a most remarkable picture of animal migration is unfolding. The lobsters undertake a journey that takes them hundreds of kilometres across the Torres Strait to their breeding grounds in the Gulf of Papua. After breeding, they seem to disappear.
Understanding the biology and behaviour of the lobster is vital, so that a sound foundation of knowledge is established on which better management of the industry can be based.
Video transcript available here: www.csiro.au/ne...