Laura Woodings

Thesis title: Population connectivity in Eastern Rock Lobster (S. verreauxi)

Supervisors: Jan Strugnell, Nick Murphy, Bridget Green and Geoff Liggins

My project is to examine the population structure of the Eastern Rock Lobster (Sagmariasus verreauxi), a commercially important species in NSW and NZ. This species has a relatively long larval phase during which there is potential for long-range dispersal via ocean currents. With climate change, ocean currents are altering which could lead to changes in distribution of larval dispersing marine species. In recent years there have been some suggestions that S. verreauxi are moving their range into Tasmanian waters, in accordance with the strengthening of the East Australian Current. I aim to utilise next generation genomic techniques to determine the genetic structure and population connectivity of S. verreauxi, as well as examining recruitment patterns and the role that ocean currents have in these patterns. This information will be important for fisheries management and to ascertain how S. verreauxi populations are likely to respond to future changes in the ocean environment.