The biometry of wild berried females was collected during an entire reproductive season at the South-
Wexford Lobster Co-op hatchery in Nethertown, Ireland. Second degree regressions between total body
weight (TW, g) and carapace length (CL, mm) (TW=CL2 -36.675CL+1793.2, R2=0.9022) and number
of “weaned” larvae and carapace length (Larvae number=1.217CL2–21.777CL-5281.1, R2 =0.743) were
observed. Afterwards, berried females were divided according to two variables: 1. holding system: recirculating
system (Rs) vs barrel (Bar); 2. CL size: <101 mm (A), 101-120 mm (B), >120 mm (C). The total
weight of larvae (212.5 vs 92.4 g) and their numbers (7788 vs 5679) were significantly higher for the
largest females than for the smaller sizes (P<0.01). The maximum survival rate of larvae (77.86%) was
noted for initial stocking density <1000 individuals/hopper, but the optimal stocking density for management
purposes in the hatchery is higher (2001-3000 individuals/hopper).
