International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies
2018, Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part C
Abundance and distribution of two blue crabs Callinectes amnicola and C. pallidus in the Volta Estuary of Ghana
Author(s): S Addo, DK Atsu, A Abdulhakim, EK Asamoah and JO Nyarko
Abstract: The abundance and distribution of two blue crab species along the main channel of the Volta estuary, Ghana was studied from October 2015 to September 2016. A total of 2623 crabs were caught comprising 1535
Callinectes amnicola and 1088
C. pallidus. The percent contribution by weight to the total catch was 70% and 30% for C. amnicola and
C. pallidus respectively. C. amnicola exhibited differential sex distribution with more females (739) concentrated within 3 km from the mouth of the estuary than males (661). Males dominated catches beyond 3 km (110) as against females (25). Both sexes of
C. pallidus were concentrated within 3 km from the sea and dominated catches during periods of high salinity (>10‰). Distribution of the blue crabs was influenced by changes in salinity levels (5-33‰) and the tidal regime (1.29-1.69 m). For sustainable exploitation, trapping should be beyond the 3 km distance from the mouth of the estuary at high tide.
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How to cite this article:
S Addo, DK Atsu, A Abdulhakim, EK Asamoah, JO Nyarko. Abundance and distribution of two blue crabs Callinectes amnicola and C. pallidus in the Volta Estuary of Ghana. Int J Fish Aquat Stud 2018;6(2):214-218.