An investigation on the distribution dynamics of kiddi prawn, Parapenaeopsis stylifera (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) along southwest coast of India, using multi-dimensional approach

Abstract

Along India's southwest coast, the kiddi prawn (Parapenaeopsis stylifera) supports a substantial fishery, known as "karikady fishery" due to its high demand in domestic and international markets. Following implementing "mechanised fishing prohibition," catch fluctuations observed in P. stylifera catches sparked widespread social unrest among stakeholders, who feared that unharvested prawns would be lost to the fishery when these prawns moved away from the coast during the monsoon season. The study derived scientific evidence for to distributional idiosyncrasy of the species with spatial distribution tracking, understanding the correlation of species movement and maturity with environmental parameters, and tracking the individual cohorts through population parameter analysis. Data for the study were collected from commercial vessels, experimental surveys, and analyses was supported by GIS software and SPSS foftware. 18 cruises in the RV Silver Pompano and 3 cruises in RV Matsyakumari at five depths (10, 30, 50, 70, 90 m) were conducted during 2016–2019 off Kerala, southwest coast of India and, and a spatial analysis of the experimental trawling data contributed to evaluating the impact of the environment on the distribution of the species. The study revealed that increased salinity has a statistically significant impact on the expansion of the species, as indicated by geographical data. P. stylifera prefers to settle in areas with high salinity and low temperatures, according to geographical studies. This study not only established that the perception that species migrate away from the coast is rational, but it also established that there is no resource loss as a result of the 'Monsoon trawl ban,' because current fishing methods are capable of catching the larger prawns that have migrated to deeper waters. The study reaffirmed the usefulness of "monsoon trawl ban" in ensuring the long-term viability of the "karikadi" fishery along the southwest coast by assisting in species recruitment during the monsoon season.