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50% of female spiny lobsters Jasus edwardsii (Hutton) from a marine reserve in north-east New Zealand had ovigerous setae or were carrying external eggs at 87.5 mm carapace length (CL). The proportion of mature follicles in the testes indicated that most males were physically mature at 85 mm CL. Female reproductive output, as measured by size-fecundity relationships, increased with CL from the onset of physical maturity as described by a power function [fecundity = 0.169· CL^3.0091]. In contrast, only males ≥ 140 mm CL were observed courting females in the field although smaller mature males were abundant. Field observations and a laboratory experiment in which males < 140 CL were either exposed to or isolated from males > 140 mm CL suggested that aggressive behaviour prior to and during the mating period prevents smaller mature males from courting females. Female choice, if it operates, may …