The complete stock structure of the Caribbean spiny lobster is not fully understood. Silberman et al. (1994) concluded that there is single genetic stock throughout its entire distribution area, however, a recent review of oceanographic and genetic available data indicates that Brazilian populations are characterized by a considerable degree of self-recruitment, and are assessed independently of the Caribbean populations (Andrade, 2015). Larval connectivity in the Caribbean has been described by (Kough et al. 2013): larval exchanges transcend international boundaries, nonetheless, self-recruitment of lobsters dominates larval recruitment in the Bahamas, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela; while the Cayman Islands, Colombia, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, and Puerto Rico lobter populations depend largely on larval subsidies from outside their borders. 

This profile considers the Caribbean lobster meta-population, and includes assessments conducted at national level, when available. The assessment unit and supposed stock along the Northern Brazilian coast is considered separately in the Northern SW Atlantic profile. 

Mexico has conducted stock assessments also in Yucatan and north of Quintana Roo in 2012.