Environmental factors influencing the reproduction of an estuarine penaeid population and implications for management |
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| Authors: | J. A. Crisp N. R. Loneragan J. R. Tweedley F. M. L. D’Souza B. Poh |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia;2. School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia;3. Mainstream Aquaculture Pty Ltd, Werribee, Victoria, Australia;4. Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Perth, WA, Australia |
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| Abstract: | This study determined environmental factors influencing the reproductive dynamics of a recreationally fished penaeid Metapenaeus dalli Racek in the Swan–Canning Estuary, south‐western Australia, during a restocking programme. Prawns were collected from nearshore (<2 m deep) and offshore waters (>2 m deep) every lunar month from October 2013 to March 2016. Reproduction occurred between November and March, when water temperature was >17°C, salinity >25 and stratification (bottom–surface salinity) <3. Densities of gravid M. dalli were highest in November of each year when 0+ females matured (19 mm; ~56% asymptotic length) and were highest in the Lower Canning Estuary. Individual fecundity ranged from 34,000 (18.1 mm carapace length [CL]) to 132,000 ova (27.1 mm CL). Egg production peaked in December/January and differed among years, being greatest in 2015/2016. These results suggest that closing fishing between November and December would protect breeding aggregations of M. dalli in inshore waters. |
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| Keywords: | aquaculture‐based enhancement fecundity fishery
Metapenaeus dalli
Penaeidae shrimp/prawn |
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