Size at Sexual Maturity in the Female Red King Crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) in a Newly Settled Population in the Barents Sea, Norway

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate and discuss the variation in the 50% ovigerous length (OL50) of female red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) sampled from three Norwegian fjords in the Barents Sea. Egg status from 19 872 females were collected and analysed from 1994–2007. Females were defined as sexually mature based on the observed presence of eggs or past presence of eggs (egg remnants). Differences in the OL50 value according to the sample year and fjord were illustrated, but were to a large degree caused by large numbers of young females representing strong year-classes that passed through the size distribution over time. In Varangerfjorden, the mean OL50 was 108.9 ± 0.2 mm CL for a 14 year sampling period. The mean OL50 estimates were 108.7 ± 0.3 mm and 111.8 ± 0.5 mm CL for a nine and six year sampling period in Tanafjorden and Laksefjorden, respectively. Russian scientists successfully introduced the red king crab into the Barents Sea during 1960–1969 with the aim of establishing a fishery. The red king crab stock has since grown and extended its distribution. Norway started fishing red king crab in 1994, and the harvest rate has increased gradually since the onset of the commercial fishing. Female red king crab appears to mature at a larger size in the Barents Sea than those found in its native areas.