The population dynamics of Carcinus maenas (Crustacea: Portunoidea) in a coastal lagoon (Portugal, SW)

Teresa Portela; Dénnis Cruz; Rui Monteiro; Maria João Correia; José  Lino Costa; Isabel  Domingos

doi:10.3989/scimar.05353.068

Authors

Teresa Portela MARE - Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente / ARNET-Rede de Investigação Aquática, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5223-6355
Dénnis Cruz Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9105-110X
Rui Monteiro MARE - Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente / ARNET-Rede de Investigação Aquática, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa - Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6130-8063
Maria João Correia MARE - Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente / ARNET-Rede de Investigação Aquática, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa - Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3764-1381
José Lino Costa MARE - Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente / ARNET-Rede de Investigação Aquática, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa - Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3843-4635
Isabel Domingos MARE - Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente / ARNET-Rede de Investigação Aquática, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa - Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0795-5614

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.05353.068

Keywords:

green crab, population dynamics, artisanal fishing, sustainable fisheries, lagoon fishery, coastal lagoons

Abstract

The green crab (Carcinus maenas) population was investigated in a coastal lagoon (Santo André) located on the southwest coast of Portugal. This study assessed the spatial-temporal variability of green crab abundance in the lagoon and its relationship with environmental variables. Experimental fishing was used to collect data on abundance, size structure and other demographic characteristics. Sampling was conducted monthly in 2019 at five sites, using fyke nets. From a total of 15063 individuals collected, 3898 were analysed. The highest catches were obtained in winter and at sites closer to the sea. The population was male-biased (58.70% of males and 41.30% of females), with an average carapace width of 48.81 mm for males and 40.79 mm for females. Ovigerous females were most abundant in December and January, and 50% were sexually mature at 45.11 mm. Based on data from the experimental fishing and fishermen’s logbooks, the estimated annual catch of green crab ranged from 1873 to 3354 kg/ha, confirming the potential value of its fishery in the lagoon. This resource can be exploited for multiple purposes, including its meat or shell waste, thus contributing to the circular economy. Considering that green crab is a bycatch of the eel fishery, fishing regulations need to be modified to safeguard the stocks of both species.

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