Bio ecology of the white shrimp Litopenaeus schmitti in Babitonga Bay. Do the current regulation of closed seasons is suitable to the lifecycle of this species?

The white shrimp Litopenaeus schimitti is the main way of living for artisanal fishermen who use the gerival for their capture in one of the main estuaries off south Brazil: Babitonga Bay. The abundance of the species is regulated by closed fishing seasons to protect spawning and recruitment, which may not in accordance with species' life cycle. The present study evaluated the size structure, maturation, and abundance of white shrimp, to verify the effectiveness of these measures for the region. The highest abundances of the L. schmitti occurred between February and May, both in the inner bay and the adjacent marine area. Spawning occurred in the marine environment around 15 m depth, mainly in October and November, with the subsequent entry of post-larvae into the estuary around December, being available for artisanal fishing in January in the inner bay area. In February and March, juveniles migrated to the adjacent marine area, defining the main recruitment peak. Some lagging shrimp remained within the bay until September and October, with a complete disappearance in December. The first size of maturation for the white shrimp females was estimated at 15.16 cm. The results hereby obtained showed that the current closed season partially protects white shrimp spawning and recruitment in Babitonga Bay and the adjacent marine area suggesting that fishing restrictions during the months of February and March may benefit juvenile specimen's migration from the estuary, however, the protection of the spawning females in October/November could also be taken into account as a way of maintaining stocks of white shrimp in the region. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the size structure, maturation, and abundance of white shrimp in Babitonga Bay, South Brazil, finding the highest abundance between February and May. White shrimp mainly spawn in the marine environment in October and November, enter the estuary in December and are available for artisanal fishing in January. Juveniles migrate to the adjacent marine area in February and March, defining the main recruitment peak.