Population dynamics of Niger River prawn (Macrobrachium felicinum) in Lower Taylor Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

The population dynamics of Macrobrachium felicinum (Holthuis, 1949) in Lower Taylor Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria, was analysed using monthly length-frequency data (June 2008 – May 2010). This study was aimed at determining the status of fishery and establishing the levels of exploitation that will give sustainable yields. The FAO-ICLARM stock assessment tool (FISAT II) software was used to estimate population parameters. The growth parameters obtained from the seasonalised Von Bertalanffy growth function were L∞ = 10.24 cm total length, K/year = 1.40, C = 0.85; and WP = 0.79 (September). Using a length-converted catch curve, total mortality (Z) was estimated at 9.50/year, natural mortality (M) at 3.04/year, while fishing mortality (F) was estimated at 6.46/year. From the probability of capture estimation, the length-at-first capture (Lc ) for M. felicinum was 4.55 cm. One major recruitment peak per year was established for M. felicinum, while the relative yield-per-recruit analysis predicted the maximum ex...