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From 1998 until 2009 a catch-eff ort survey was carried out on the artisanal fi shing fl eet of Marinella di Selinunte. The fl eet fi shes with trammel net and/or gill net along the southwestern Sicilian coast in the wide gulf reaching from Capo San Marco to the east, to Capo Granitola to the west. In 2004, a restocking experiment with Melicerctus kerathurus post-larvae raised in an acquaculture facility from wild indigenous breeders was carried out in this area. Cpue analysis of the stock assessment shows that Melicerctus kerathurus is in overfi shing except in 2005, the year after the restocking. Palinurus elephas and Homarus gammarus are also highly overfi shed. Active restocking as a management strategy may be desirable for rebuilding Melicerctus kerathurus stock and increasing its catch.

The movements of ten spiny lobsters, Palinurus elephas (Palinuridae) released in the Capo Gallo-Isola delle Femmine MPA (Italy) were monitored with ultrasonic telemetry. Four specimens left the area within the first two days. A nomadic movement pattern was detected for six lobsters which did not leave the rocky cliff.