Quantitative analysis for fishery of Large-Shrimp (Penaeus japonicus, Penaeus semisulcatus and Penaeus latisulcatus) in the Gulf of Suez, Red Sea

Abstract

Data on catch and effort for 39 fishing seasons of the Large-Shrimp category were collected from the General Authority for Fisheries Resource Development, Suez Office (GAFRD). Fishery of Large-Shrimp in the Gulf of Suez suffers from severe growth and recruitment overfishing. The catch maximum sustainable yield (CMSY++) method was applied to estimate the biological reference points for scientific rebuilding and management of Large-Shrimp fishery in the Gulf of Suez. The catchability coefficient of the commercial bottom trawl net is high (q = 9.62). The intrinsic increase rate of the fishery is relatively high, (r = 0.28 y−1). In the healthy state, values of the carrying capacity (K), maximum sustainable yield (MSY), and fishing mortality for MSY (FMSY) are 6050 tons, 429 tons, and 0.141 y−1 respectively. Consequently, it is suggested that the fishery of Large-Shrimp may be rebuilt in three seasons if exploitation is stopped. There is thus a good opportunity for a safe wide range of management strategy alternatives while avoiding bad effects for fishermen.