Habitat Distribution, Species Composition and Size Structure of Penaeid Shrimps (decapoda: Dendrobranchiata: Penaeidae) in Inshore Waters of Ghana

Penaeid shrimps are crustaceans of high commercial value. The habitat distribution and aspects of biology of penaeid shrimps were investigated as a contribution to filling the knowledge gap on the stocks of shrimps in inshore waters of Ghana. Monthly samples of the penaeids were obtained from commercial inshore trawlers at Tema, Elmina and Sekondi fish landing sites from October 2017 to May, 2018. Secondary source of data was obtained from reports from a survey undertaken by Fridtjof Nansen vessel in 2005 in the inshore waters of Ghana and used to map the spatial distribution of the penaeid shrimps. The penaeid species encountered in the order of their abundance were Holthuispenaeopsis atlantica (81.49%), Penaeus notialis (14.66%), Penaeus kerathurus (2.65%), Penaeus monodon (0.71%) and Metapenaeopsis miersi (0.48%). H. atlantica and P. kerathurus were found to be more abundant at shallower depth ranging between 21.0 – 28.0 m whiles P. notialis occurred in deeper waters from 29.0 m – 57.0 m. Sex ratios deviated from 1:1 (in favour of females) for P. kerathurus, H. atlantica and M. miersi. However, there was a condition of equilibrium in the sex ratios for P. notialis and P. monodon. With respect to body sizes P. monodon was the largest (mean length = 18.08 ± 0.55 cm; weight = 55.01 ± 5.87 g), followed by P. kerathurus (13.04 ± 0.43 cm; 24.73 ± 1.85 g), P. notialis (12.73 ± 3.93 cm; 22.7 ± 0.74 g), H. atlantica (8.80 ± 0.03 cm; 4.98 ± 0.06 g) and M. miersi (5.84 ± 0.2 cm; 1.70 ± 0.19 g). Given the scarcity of data on shrimp population in the Gulf of Guinea, the findings could be used for future management strategies and serve as reference point for further studies.