Assessment of the prawn resources of Orangerie Bay, Milne Bay Province.

Abstract

The maximum sustainable average yield (MSY) for the multi-species prawn resources at Orangerie Bay was estimated at 28.6 +/- s.e. 1.2 t per year by correlation/regression of catch per unit of fishing effort (CPUE) on fishing effort for the period 1981-1994 (p = 0.0007). The optimum effort was similarly estimated to be 1329 +/- s.e. 165 trawl-hours per year, and the year(Cf) fora given effort (f) was as follows: Cf= 43.5f - 0.016812. A total allowable catch (TAC) in the region of30-351 per year (multi-species, whole weight) is recommended, with in-season revision should unfavourable environmental conditions become established.