Determining the opening and closure of shrimp fishing season (Penaeus semisulcatus) in the waters of Bushehr province

This study was conducted to determine the opening and closure of Penaeus semisulcatus fishing season in July, August and September during 2012-2014 in the waters of the Bushehr province. 30 stations were hauled based on a Stratified Random Sampling design in three depth layer of less than 10, 10-20 and more than 20 meters. The optimum dates of opening shrimp fishing season for the years of 2012-2014, were calculated as 4th, 28th and 13th July respectively. The closures of Shrimp fishing season for years of 2012-2014 were determined to be 10th September, 29th of August and 5th of September. The estimated biomass were for all of shrimp species in the years 2012-2014, 930, 1009 and 526 tonnes respectively. Penaeus semisulcatus contributed 92, 96 and 99% of the shrimp stock in the mentioned years. The CPUE (catch per hour) were calculated to be 1.6, 16.9 and 6.9 kg per hour, in the years 2012-2014, respectively. The highest aggregation of Green tiger Shrimp (P. semisulcatus) were observed in 10-20 depth meters layer in southern waters of Bushehr province at the fishing areas (Motaf to rostami). The changes in climatic conditions resulted in different dates of the opening season and probable illegal fishing may have caused the reduction of shrimp biomass in recent years. Hence to Protect the stocks the economic species and the sustainability of shrimp fishing, it is necessary to properly manage fisheries and determine the opening and closure fishing season Penaeus semisulcatus through conducting research surveys.