Carrying Capacity Estimation of Fleshy Prawn Based on Ecopath Model

Abstract

Estimated by an Ecopath model, the carrying capacity of the Laizhou Bay's prawn (Fenneropenaeus chinensis) population was 0.595 t/km2, nearly 59 times the biomass today According to the mixed tropic impacts, food in the bay is sufficient and not the main factor limiting prawn biomass. The primary factor limiting the prawn population was predation by species such as Chaeturichthys stigmatas and Scomberomorus niphonius. Secondary was the food competition from Oratosquilla oratoria, Konosirus punctuates. How to decrease the biomass losses caused by predation and competition is important for prawn stocking enhancement in the bay.