Stock status and potential yield of deep water rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris, Lucas 1846) in the south-central Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

This document summarises the data used, methods adopted and the results of the joint stock assessment carried out during the MedSudMed and CopeMed II Working Groups on Parapenaeus longirostris and related fisheries held in 2009 and 2010 in Malta and Italy respectively. The aim of this document is to describe the state of the stock of P. longirostris in the south-central Mediterranean Sea using data from Italy, Tunisia and Malta. The long term objective of this study is to provide the baseline for the establishment of a harmonised management regime for the deep water rose shrimp fishery in the south-central Mediterranean Sea. Overall, fishery dependent data from Italy, Malta and Tunisia for the first time were pooled together and jointly processed. The assessment was performed using length cohort analysis (LCA) and biomass and yield per recruits analyses as implemented in VIT4Win. Current mean fishing mortality and exploitation pattern were assessed using the steady state LCA on length frequency distributions (LFD) of 2007, 2008 and 2009 as well as the average 2007-2009 catches, raised to the total landings. Analyses were performed separately by keeping sex and fleet segments separate (i.e. Italy 12-24; Italy > 24; Tunisia; Malta) as first step. A sensitivity analysis was also carried out as implemented in VIT. The results are discussed in the view of providing robust technical advice for the management of national fisheries exploiting P. longirostris in the MedSudMed area taking into account the possible evolution of national fisheries. Some perspective for future joint activities to be carried out within the cooperative framework established by the FAO Projects are also presented.