Synthesis of information on some demersal crustaceans relevant for fisheries target species in the south-central Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

This document reviews and compiles the scientific information on some demersal crustaceans relevant for fisheries target species in the south-central Mediterranean Sea: Aristaeomorpha foliacea; Melicertus (Penaeus) kerathurus; Metapenaeus monoceros; Nephrops norvegicus; Palinurus elephas and Parapenaeus longirostris. The document provides a description of each species including bio-ecology, life history parameters, fishery exploitation and fishing gear selectivity information. Scientific information was organized to provide a synthetic outline on each species, including meristic description, ecology (geographical distribution, habitats), biogical information (maximum size, spawning activity, length at first maturity, recruitment at habitat and nurseries, sex ratio, length-weight relationship, maximum age and natural mortality, von bertalanffy growth function, feeding behaviour, stock units). Information on stock status and exploitation when available (abundance indices from trawl surveys, strength of recruitment, stock assessment, fisheries, fishing zones and seasons, yield, fishing and discards) is also provided per species. This work is the result of international scientific cooperation among the fishery research institutions participating in the FAO-MedSudMed Project.