Preliminary Stock Assessment of The Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Population
Preliminary Stock Assessment of The Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Population
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Date
1989
Authors
Knotts, Karen Sue
Advisor
Rothschild, Brian J.
Citation
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Abstract
A preliminary stock assessment using data from a commercial
fishery survey was completed. The maximum average attainable size
(Linf) was found to be 174.25 mm (6.9 in) for males, and 171.7 mm
(6.8 in) for females. The von Bertalanffy growth coefficient (K) was
determined to be 0.83 for males and 0.57 for females. Yield-per-recruit
analysis indicated that a significant amount of yield-per-recruit
is lost if males are fished before reaching approximately 145
mm (5.7 inches). Results for females show that the size at first
capture should be approximately 124 mm (5 inches), after which the
yield-per-recruit gained by waiting is minimal. The nature of the
recruitment-stock relationship could not be characterized in this
study; however, results indicate that a relationship does exist. A
comparison of early and late season catch curves indicated surplus
production of biomass in the 1987 pot fishery. The potential use of
change in sex ratios estimators for stock assessment is discussed.