Effective fisheries management for species with extended pelagic larval dispersal, such as Southern Rock Lobster (SRL), hinges on understanding the relationship between spawning grounds and subsequent larval settlement reefs. This study focuses on identifying critical recruitment areas by integrating updated connectivity matrices with regional egg production data across southeast Australia. By assessing the survival and potential settlement of SRL larvae from various source regions, we aim to pinpoint key areas that contribute significantly to population replenishment, plus other climate driven changes and linking recruitment pulses to El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events over the last 30 years. These findings will inform targeted management strategies to enhance spawning biomass, ensuring the sustainable future for this species.