Bionomics of the Shrimp Fishery in the Inshore Waters of Qatar

Abstract

The shrimp fishery in Qatar is carried out by artisanal crafts, operating from Doha and Al Khor on the East coast. The fishing is restricted to the 2-6 Fm depth range and Penaeus semisulcatus forms about 95 % of the shrimp catch. The main fishing season is from July to December and the catch rates vary between 40 and 4 kg/boat/trip, with averages of 16 kg/boat/trip in Doha and 27 kg/boat/trip at Al Khor. Annual production during the period March 1980 - February 1981 was about 76,000 kg. The size range entering the fishery is 10 - 44mm in Carapace-length and the females tend to grow faster than males. Average growth rates for males and females of the species was estimated as 1.8 and 2.0mm in Carapace-length, per month, respectively. There are two spawnings annually; one at the beginning of spring and the other around the end of autumn. The monthly rate of total instantaneous mortality was estimated to vary between 0.30 and 0.49.