Reproductive dynamics of the grooved tiger prawn, Penaeus semisulcatus, in the north-western Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia

Abstract

The reproductive cycle of female P. semisulcatus was investigated in the region north of Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria from August 1983 to March 1985. Approximately 1750 trawls were carried out over 21 monthly sampling cruises, and 13 748 females were examined. The minimum size at maturity was 29 mm carapace length (CL), and 50% of the population were mature at 39 mm CL. The proportion of females which had mated increased sharply above 34 mm CL with a maximum of 80% of females inseminated in the size range 38-54 mm CL. An index of population egg production, calculated from female abundance, the proportion of females spawning and fecundity according to size, was used as an indicator of reproductive output. Egg production was markedly seasonal, with a major spawning peak in August-September, and a minor one in February. Spawning occurred in a limited area within rhe study area. The spawning stock of P. semisulcatus is likely to be vulnerable to fishing pressure because the area and time of major spawning coincides with the major fishing effort in the region.