We are now a large step closer to locating the prime spawning grounds and predicting which part of the [prawn] stock is contributing to next year's harvest. Management strategies can then be developed to protect this part of the stock and help ensure the sustainability of the fishery. |
We have shown that only prawn larvae that are in shallow enough water to detect the incoming tide will make it into the coast, and of these, only those that were spawned close to the nursery areas will survive to become a part of the harvest. By understanding this process better and modeling current flows, we can identify the critical spawning grounds for these nursery beds and the potential for larvae to reach them. |