Title: Population dynamics and standing biomass of Indian white prawn (Penaeus indicus) and Brown shrimp (Metapanaeus monoceros) along the coast of Tanzania

The Indian white prawn Penaeus indicus and Brown shrimp Metapenaeus monoceros were the most abundant and economically important species in Tanzanian coast. In this report, the population dynamics of P. indicus and M. monoceros were investigated and the standing biomass of these species and all combined prawn species were estimated. The catches of penaeid prawn from industrial and artisanal fishery were compared. The analysis based on the available data from scientific surveys on catch, effort and biometric obtained from 2009, 2011 and 2013 and fisheries based data from Fisheries Department from 1983 to 2007 for industrial fishery and 1988 to 2013 for artisanal fishery. The abundance distribution of these species differ in season, and fishing zone. The catch per unit effort (CPUE) and biomass indices also differ by fishing zone and season. The P. indicus were more abundant in Zone I while M. monoceros were more abundant in Zone II. The high biomass indices were higher in May and June coincided with rains season which brings high nutrient contents, high productivity and enhanced recruitment. There was increase of artisanal catch which correlate with the close of the industrial fishery as this trend showed before the industrial fishery started. This paper recommend more studies including Catch Assessment Survey (CAS) are needed in order to established and formulate the sustainable management measures of prawn fishery.