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Linking Biological Parameters to Fishery Management: Stock Assessment of Green Tiger Prawn, Penaeus semisulcatus De Haan, 1844 Along the Red Sea Coast of Saudi Arabia
by
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Eyüp Mümtaz Tıraşın
1,2
,
Sheeja Gireesh
1,
Sirajudheen Thayyil Kadengal
1,
Ronald Grech Santucci
1,
Zahra Okba
1,*,
Santhosh Kumar Charles
1,
Goutham Bharathi Muthu Palani
1,
Adel M. S. Adam
1 and
Mark Dimech
1 1
KAUST Beacon Development Department, National Transformation Institute, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Innovation Cluster, 4700, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
2
Institute of Marine Sciences and Technology, Dokuz Eylül University, Balçova 35340, İzmir, Türkiye
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Biology 2026, 15(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15010008
Submission received: 4 November 2025
/
Revised: 7 December 2025
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Accepted: 16 December 2025
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Published: 19 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biological Research into Shrimps, Crabs and Lobsters (2nd Edition))
Simple Summary
Penaeid shrimps, highly prized in global seafood markets, form the main target of marine shrimp fisheries. Their ecological and commercial importance underscores the necessity of conducting robust stock assessments to guide and ensure sustainable management. The present study investigates important population characteristics of the green tiger prawn Penaeus semisulcatus along the southeastern Red Sea coast. Growth analysis showed that the asymptotic carapace length is higher in females than in males, with both sexes exhibiting rapid growth rates. The estimated exploitation rates exceeded the optimum level for both sexes, raising concerns about the sustainability of the shrimp trawl fishery. Notable presence of juvenile prawns in the catch, coupled with excessive fishing mortality, strongly suggests that the stock is overexploited. To mitigate this situation, a transition from traditional diamond mesh codends to square meshes with improved selectivity is recommended to decrease juvenile catches and enhance sustainability. Additional measures, including limiting fishing days, curbing the active trawling fleet, setting catch limits, and prolonging seasonal closures, should be implemented to protect spawning and recruitment periods. Strengthening data collection for ongoing monitoring, incorporating climate-related factors into management, and integrating all actions into an ecosystem-based management framework created in partnership with key stakeholder groups are essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of shrimp stocks and fisheries.
Abstract
Penaeus semisulcatus is the dominant commercial prawn species along the Saudi Arabian coast in the southeastern Red Sea, yet its population dynamics remain poorly understood. This study examined growth, maturity, and mortality using fishery-independent samples obtained during trawl surveys off Jizan and Al Qunfudhah between October 2022 and September 2023. A total of 85,909 individuals were examined, exhibiting carapace lengths (CL) between 1.29 and 56.14 mm and weights (W) ranging from 0.91 to 94.99 g. The sex ratio (1:1.06) was slightly male-biased. The CL–W relationships were W = 0.00427·CL2.50 for females and W = 0.01274·CL2.16 for males. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were CL∞ = 60.16 mm, K = 1.03 year−1 for females and CL∞ = 48.10 mm, K = 1.02 year−1 for males. Females first matured at a CL of 22.09 mm. Exploitation rates (0.63 for females and 0.69 for males) and spawning potential ratio analysis indicated severe overfishing, with spawning stock biomass reduced to 19% of its unexploited level. These results highlight the necessity for immediate management intervention. Reducing fishing effort by half, extending seasonal closures, and improving the selectivity of trawl gear are advised to facilitate stock recovery and support sustainable exploitation in the region.
