This book is
an important addition to the knowledge of lobster research. The book complements other books published on
lobster research and management as it focuses on Indian lobster fisheries and
aquaculture developments where there have been nearly 350 research papers and
reports and 19 PhD awards. The book has 15 chapters written by international
experts covering many aspects of the biology of a number of spiny and slipper
lobster species occurring in India and world oceans with maps illustrating
global distribution of spiny lobster families, genera and species. An updated
taxonomy and checklist of marine lobsters, the status and management of lobster
fisheries in India and Indian Ocean Rim countries and a review of aquaculture
research in India and other major countries have also been presented.
Many of the
chapters are contributed by the authors from Central Marine Fisheries Research
Institute (CMFRI), which has been collecting fishery and biological data on
lobsters since 1950 when lobster fishing began on a subsistence scale, followed
by some industrial fishing for lobsters in different parts of India. Unfortunately, the development of some of
these lobster fisheries was followed by overfishing due to lack of enforcement
of regulations. The book provides a valuable addition to our knowledge of the
biology, fisheries and aquaculture of spiny and slipper lobsters.