English

Abstract

The investigation of recruitment pattern and catch per unit effort of the black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) was conducted from March 2012 to February 2013 in Andoni River System, Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Total weight and length of sampled P. monodon, number of fishers, fishing duration and temperature were sampled monthly. Total weight of P. monodon landed, number of fishers and fishing duration was used to determine catch per unit effort in kg/man/h. The recruitment pattern was analyzed using the length frequency data of the stock. The result shows that recruitment pattern was continuous and higher during the rainy season, that is from May to October. Catch per unit effort was lowest (46.09Kg/man/h) in January and highest (78.11 kg/man/h) in September. Mean temperature ranged from 27±0.32°C to 31±0.89°C which was suitable for the stock. A positive moderate correlation existed between recruitment and catch per unit effort (r = 0.50056) while a positive weak correlation occurred between recruitment and temperature (r = 0.21102). It is concluded from the study that a rise in the recruitment of P.monodon translated into a rise in catch per unit effort and that temperature was not the only factor necessary for recruitment. Key words: Shrimp, recruitment, catch per unit effort (CPUE), Andoni River, Penaeus monodon, Nigeria.