Spiny lobsters (Panulirus spp.), regarded as a high-value commodity in the Philippines, are often associated with luxury cuisine. Beyond their culinary appeal, these crustaceans also serve as an important source of livelihood for small-scale fishers, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Their conservation and sustainable management, therefore, are both economic and ecological imperatives.

Despite their significance, however, updated and comprehensive data on the species’ distribution, abundance, and size structure have been limited, posing challenges to evidence-based management efforts.

To address this gap, the Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center (MFRDC), one of the science centers under the Department of Agriculture-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI), conducted a study assessing the species composition, abundance, and size structure of spiny lobsters in Eastern Visayas. The study’s findings provide valuable insights that can inform the formulation of management policies and conservation measures for this resource.

The research was published in The Philippine Journal of Fisheries in January 2023. Its lead author, Cristan Campo, Senior Science Research Specialist at MFRDC, presented the paper during the 36th Regional Research, Development, and Extension Symposium of the Visayas Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Resources Program (ViCARP) and the Eastern Visayas Agriculture and Fisheries Resources Research and Extension for Development Network (EViAFRREDN) in 2024 at Visayas State University, Baybay City in Leyte. The paper received the Best Paper Citation Award under the Research Category.

Species composition and distribution

Spiny lobsters are distinguished by their vivid coloration and distinct patterns. From samples collected between 2018 and 2019 in Eastern Visayas, researchers identified six species and subspecies: Panulirus penicillatus, P. ornatus, P. versicolor, P. femoristriga, P. longipes longipes, and P. longipes bispinosus.

Among these, P. penicillatus (locally known as aswang) was the most dominant, comprising approximately 56 percent and 65 percent of total catch in 2018 and 2019, respectively, followed by P. ornatus (ornate/tiger lobster). Conversely, P. versicolor (bamboo or painted lobster) was the least abundant, accounting for only 1.5 percent and 2.8 percent of total catch in the same years.

Spatial distribution analysis revealed that P. penicillatus dominated the coastal waters of Guiuan and San Policarpo, Eastern Samar, while P. ornatus was more prevalent in the bays of Northern Samar and Southern Leyte. The red lobster varieties (P. femoristriga, P. longipes longipes, and P. longipes bispinosus) were the least represented among the collected samples.

Seasonal abundance

Fishing activity for lobsters typically intensifies during the dry season, when calm seas and favorable weather allow fishers to operate farther offshore. The study found that P. penicillatus, the most abundant species, peaks in relative abundance from July to October, exceeding 80 percent of total catch. P. ornatus showed a similar pattern, with catches increasing during the same months, coinciding with higher market demand associated with the holiday season, including Christmas and Chinese New Year.

Other species, including P. femoristriga, P. versicolor, and the P. longipes subspecies, exhibited varying seasonal peaks. In Eastern Samar, catches were highest between April and June, while in Northern Samar and Southern Leyte, they peaked from July to September. A general decline in catch was observed toward the end of the year as weather conditions worsened and fishing effort decreased.

Size structure and management concerns

According to the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), minimum size limits are set to ensure that lobsters are caught only after reaching maturity. However, MFRDC’s findings indicated that most spiny lobsters landed in Eastern Visayas were below the legal-size limit. Sub-adult and juvenile lobsters, measuring less than 77.5 mm in carapace length, comprised approximately 50–90 percent of total catch, suggesting that many are harvested before reaching reproductive maturity. In contrast, P. ornatus was often caught at larger sizes (96–107 mm), reflecting their higher market value and demand.

Since a large proportion of the catch consists of undersized individuals, total harvest weight remains low despite high catch volume. This phenomenon, known as growth overfishing, poses a serious threat to stock sustainability. Similar trends have been reported in neighboring Southeast Asian countries, indicating that the premature harvest of juvenile lobsters is a regional concern.

Policy implications and recommendations

The MFRDC study underscored the need to strengthen the implementation of Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 265, issued in 2020, which regulates the catching, transport, and trade of juvenile and berried lobsters. MFRDC recommended revising the FAO to explicitly include additional species recorded in Eastern Visayas, such as P. femoristriga and P. longipes subspecies.

During stakeholder consultations held in Quezon City on September 10–12, 2025, industry representatives proposed reducing the minimum size limit for P. ornatus from 10 cm to 8 cm in carapace length to enhance export potential. MFRDC supported this adjustment, as findings show that P. ornatus reaches sexual maturity at around 8 cm. Aligning regulatory measures with scientific evidence may help balance conservation objectives with economic opportunities.

The study also highlighted the continued use of compressor diving, a hazardous and unsustainable fishing method, as another issue requiring stronger enforcement and community awareness.

MFRDC’s research provided a scientific basis for the sustainable management of spiny lobster fisheries in the Philippines. The data generated can support national and local decision-makers in policy formulation, regulatory enforcement, and public awareness efforts.

Through initiatives such as this, NFRDI, through MFRDC, reaffirms its commitment to advancing science-based fisheries management and ensuring the long-term productivity and resilience of the country’s marine resources. ### (Vanessa Mae Escaño)