Exploitation rate and by-catch of <i>Nematopalaemon hastatus</i> (Crustacea: Palaemonidae) (Aurivillius, 1898) fishery in the cross river estuary, Nigeria

Abstract

The Nematopalaemon hastatus fishery in the Cross River estuary was investigated, over a 12-month period. The fishery operates on an artisanal, year round basis. The catch was composed by weight, of 70% N. hastatus, 14% Parapaeniopsis atlantica, 3% Exhippolysmata hastatoides, and 14% fish by-catch. Taken together, all the fishing villages that utilize this resource had an output of 360 boats daily. The ratio of operational to non-operational boats averaged 8:2. The number of nets per boat was 29 - 30. The catch per unit of effort was bi-modal, with peaks in the months of May and November. Factors affecting exploitation rates are discussed. No juveniles nor any developmental stage of Penaeus notialis were found in samples from catches from this fishery


Key words: Nematopalaemon hastatus, Cross River Estuary, Artisanal Fishery, By-catch.


Journal of Aquatic Sciences Vol.17(1) 2002: 13-16