Abstract
Since 1980s, various artificial reefs for Japanese spiny lobster Panulirus japonicus resource have been deployed in the coastal waters at Pacific and East China Sea. However, their structural feature was to provide only nest rooms but prey items, considered as another important factor to attract the lobsters. We have developed the new concept reef with waste shell, which cultivate prey organisms efficiently. In this study, we will show the following results of the five-year monitoring after this reef installation. (1) The prey animals increased to 45.0kg m-3 in total weight on the reefs. (2) Adult lobsters were recorded for the first time in 21st month, and reached to 12.3 indv. m-3 in 57th month. (3) Egg-brooding adults, Puerulus larvae and juvenile were found in the reef. In conclusion, we are convinced the reef with shells is well suited to the all-stages lobsters for dwelling, feeding and reproducing place. And (4) other valuable species such as top shell, abalone and rockfish were found in the reef. Therefore, it is expected this technique to apply habitats for diverse species is also very effective in creation of the eco-friendly harbor area.
