경북 연안에 서식하는 대게(Chionoecetes opilio)의 수심 및 월별 출현 양상

Abstract

The size distribution, maturation, and molting stages of the snow crab Chionoecetes opilio in the coastal sea of Gyeongbuk were investigated to understand its monthly and bathymetric occurrence patterns. C. opilio was collected from three depth strata (A1, 100–120 m; A2, 120–180 m; A3, 180–220 m) from May to November 2020. The average sex ratio was 0.8. The mean carapace width was largest in females in October, and in males in November. The occurrence rate of small immature crabs was the highest in A1. The ratio of ovigerous females at 75–80 mm was highest at A2 and A3. There was a significant difference in carapace width in females and depth in both sexes in September and October. The occurrence rate of immature crabs was the highest in A1, whereas that ovigerous and spawned females was higher in A2 and A3 than in A1. Very old-shelled females occurred highly in September and October. The occurrence rate of newly shelled males was higher throughout the study period. This research indicated that the size distribution, maturation conditions, and molting stages of C. opilio varied with water depth strata in the coastal sea of Gyeongbuk, Korea.