Nursery ground shrimp (Penaeidae family), in western parts of Bushehr coastal waters of the Persian Gulf

Nursery grounds of Penaeus semisulcatus were surveyed in one of the main coastal of the species from January 1991 to June 1994. Sampling station were selected in waters less than 10 m depths from Bushehr city area to Bandar Rig and Dayer to Asaloyeh. Juvenile shrimps were collected using a small vessel powered by a 150 hp outboard engine that was equipped with a small trawl net with 10 mm mesh size. Sampling was done monthly. Water temperature and salinity was measured in the sampling stations. The results of the study showed, abundance of Jinga shrimp juveniles (less than 2 cm total length), Metapenaeus affinis was seen in February and July. Larvae (about 5 mm total length) of this species were abundant in September and October. Shiff estuary was one of the most important nursery area of M. affinis. Abundant of juveniles of Kiddi shrimp, Parapenaeopsis stylifera, was seen from April to July. Both adults and juveniles of this species were seen in the estuaries and the Shiff was the most important nursery ground of this species. Green tiger prawn, Penaeus Semisulcatus, juveniles were abundant in May and Jun. Juveniles of green tiger prawn were mostly observed at different sites of shallow waters, around Abbasak and Bandargah regions in the vegetated. During this study, minimum and maximum recorded of water temperature were 10 centigrade degree (in December) and 36 centigrade degree (in July) respectively. The minimum and maximum of salinity were measured in 2 ppt (in December to 46 ppt (in August) respectively. The results of the study indicated this fact that, the extensive shallow waters that covered with seaweed are critically important for P. semisulcatus nursery grounds. Shiff estuary is one of the most important nursery grounds of M. affinis and P. stylifera and should therefore be protected from pollution, fishing gear damage and industrial development.