Key role of fisheries genomics to support conservation, fisheries management and trade of widely-distributed spiny lobsters

The ornate spiny lobster Panulirus ornatus is a widely-distributed crustacean species that is socio-economically important to Indigenous and local communities. We draw on evidence from regionally abundant populations to refute published comments that P. ornatus is globally endangered based on its conservation listing in China. Recent research to sequence the chromosome-level genome of this prized fishery species in southern China corroborates understanding of fine-scale genetic structure throughout the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. This may be useful in supporting cost-effective conservation and fisheries management, such as to identify point-of-origin along supply chains. Genetic approaches to differentiate between spiny lobster stocks complements the suite of management information used to establish provenance of lobsters. Conservation efforts benefit from the ability to identify wild-caught lobster that originates from sustainably managed fisheries (e.g., Torres Strait) rather than depleted or recovering stocks, thereby shifting demand away from overfished stocks to support instead trade of sustainably-managed fisheries. • Fisheries genomics has considerable potential to support fisheries management issues. • Ornate lobsters of conservation concern in China but not elsewhere across range • Significant genetic differences delineate population structure of Panulirus ornatus. • We encourage development of point-of-origin genetic markers for crustaceans. • Trade of sustainably-managed stocks rewards conservative Indigenous custodianship.