THE POPULATION PARAMETERS FOR RED KING CRAB IN THE DALNEZELENETSKAYA BAY (BARENTS SEA) IN THE SUMMER PERIOD OF 2013

Abstract

Some biological parameters of the local group of rеd king сrаb in the Dalnezelenetskaya Bay (Barents Sea) are determined in summer 2013. The large-sized mature сrаbs with the carapace width > 100 mm prevailed in scuba diving catches, with equal proportion of females and males. The females with violet eggs dominated among the egg-bearing females. Barren females were not caught. Percentage of the limbs injuries was 62 % that was lower than in the previous year. Total stock of red king crab in the bay was assessed as 4750 individuals. Significant increasing of the large-sized males abundance is noted that corresponds with general growth of their stock in the Barents Sea after the ban on the species fishery within the 12-mile coastal zone in 2011.