This pilot study examined the feasibility of obtaining a pre-recruit abundance index with a modified pot design in CRA8. It complemented objective 8 of the 2000-01 Ministry of Fisheries rock lobster research project, which was to examine the relationship between recruitment indices derived from puerulus collectors, juvenile dive surveys and the observer and logbook catch sampling programmes and make recommendations on the most appropriate way of predicting recruitment to the fishery.

Information gained from this study was used to design a long-term monitoring program for pre-recruits in CRA8.