Preliminary studies on the distribution and the stomach contents of some commercial prawns from the coast of Tungkang, Taiwan. In：I C. Liao and R. Hirano (eds.)

Abstract

The prawn fishing grounds along the coast of Tungkang has been selected by the Tungkang Marine Laboratory as the experimental area for prawn ranching. In order to establish the techniques of prawn juvenile release and to ascertain the effects of such a step, it is absolutely essential to investigate and evaluate the prawn resources in this area prior to the release of the artificially produced juveniles. In this paper, the preliminary results on the natural distribution of the commercially important prawns in the coastal region of Tungkang and their diets as reflected by their stomach contents, are presented. The commercially important species included Penaeus monodon, Penaeus semisulcatus, Metapenaeus ensis and Metapenaeus affinis. From the distribution of the catch per unit effort (CPUE) of these species during the period from August to October, it is evident that P. monodon grows to maturity in the inshore waters around the estuary of Linpien River. The mature prawns migrate to the offshore waters for spawning. In contrast to P. monodon, the other three species studied prefer deeper and offshore water for growing. It appears that P. monodon and P. semisulcatus forage more often for living animals than do M. ensis and M. affinis. P. monodon feeds on crustaceans, mainly Acetes erythraeus, more intensively than the other three species under investigation.