International Journal of Environmental Engineering and Development
E-ISSN: 2945-1159
Volume 3, 2025
Fishery, Growth and Reproductive Biology of Metapenaeus affinis (Decapoda, Penaeidae) in the Iraqi waters
Authors: , ,
Abstract: The study evaluated the fishery, growth and reproductive biology of the Jinga shrimp (Metapenaeus affinis) in Iraqi waters from November 2022 to October 2023. The monthly shrimp landings from Iraqi marine waters ranged from 57 tons in December 2022 to 407 tons in September 2023, with an annual value of 3,515 tons. 8,021 individuals of M. affinis, ranging from 2.0 to 15.6 cm, were collected from the East Hammar marsh and Iraqi marine waters. The length-weight relationship indicated that males and females exhibited negative allometric growth patterns, with a significant difference between them. The mean values of the relative condition factor were 0.98±0.037 and 1.02±0.043 for males and females, respectively, referring to the healthy condition for both sexes. The growth model for the species was Lt= 16.3 (1- exp (-0.92 (t+0.084))). The overall sex ratio (male: female) was 1:1.41. The length at first maturity (Lm50) was 8.2 cm. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) values fluctuated from 2.14% in June to 4.34% in April for females of M. affinis. These results can assist in fisheries management and conservation of the shrimp species in Iraqi waters.
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Pages: 100-110
DOI: 10.37394/232033.2025.3.8