Effects of changes in female size on relative egg production of northern shrimp stocks (Pandalus borealis)

Length is one of the main factors determining fecundity of shrimp. Therefore, changes in length distribution where larger individuals disappear from the stock may affect the relative egg production (REP) of the stock. The main objective of this study was to use fecundity of shrimp to estimate changes in REP of four inshore shrimp stocks in the period between 1990 and 2016, and estimate how changes in length at sex change ( L50) and maximum size (Lmax) impact the REP of the stocks. The results show that the REP of the shrimp stocks reduced considerably with lowering of L50 and Lmax. However, the relationship between REP and recruitment was in general poor.