Reproduction, growth, mortality and exploitation rate of Penaeus semisulcatus De Haan, 1844 (Decapoda, Penaeidae) from Iskenderun Bay (northeastern Mediterranean)

Abstract

Penaeus semisulcatusDe Haan, 1844 was collected in Iskenderun Bay, from November 2009 to October 2010, by monthly bottom trawl operations. The male : female ratio was determined as 1 : 1, and the spawning period was found to be from January to June, while peaking two times a year, namely in January and in March. The andKfor males were estimated at 42.00 mm CL and 1.8 year−1, respectively, and for the females 63.00 mm CL and 1.90 a year−1. Using the andKestimates for both sexes, the instantaneous rate of natural mortality (M) for males and females were calculated as 1.50 and 1.97 year−1, respectively, at 22°C water temperature on average. The instantaneous rates of total mortalities (Z) were 4.04 year−1for males and 6.39 year−1for females, and fishing mortalities (F) for males were 2.24 year−1and for females 4.42 year−1. Thus, the exploitation rates (E) were 0.65 year−1and 0.69 year−1for males and females, respectively. The results clearly indicate overfishing forP. semisulcatusin the study area.