Unraveling distributional patterns and life-history traits of a deep-water shrimp Plesionika edwardsii (Decapoda, Pandalidae) under unexploited virgin conditions: a benchmark for fisheries management

Abstract Plesionika edwardsii (J.F. Brandt in von Middendorf, 1851) is a cosmopolitan species that inhabits cold temperate and subarctic waters between 50 and 680 m. In the Azorean region, this is the second most abundant shrimp species and populations remain unexploited. To provide insights into a pristine state that can be useful for comparisons across regions and serve as a benchmark for a potential fishery in the future, we analyzed data collected during shrimp trap surveys in the Azores between 1999 and 2000. Plesionika edwardsii were caught between 100 and 600 m depth, with the biggest catches between 200 and 400 m. Sizes varied from 8.3 to 31.3 mm cephalothorax length (CL). Females were bigger and more abundant than males and predominated at depths up to 300 m. Ovigerous females were caught throughout most of the year, with a peak of abundance during the winter. The size at 50 % maturity was 25 mm CL. High variability in distributional patterns and life-history traits has been observed in our study and when compared with literature from other regions, it is difficult to distinguish which differences are potentially fishing-induced. Future studies should investigate the oceanographic processes associated with P. edwardsii ecology and commercial fisheries should be made on a precautionary basis.