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Western King Prawn
(Penaeus latisulcatus)
Appearance
Western King Prawns are usually light yellow to brown in colour. The tail tip and legs are a bluish colour. Female adults range between 40mm and 75mm, the smaller males between 20mm and 55mm, measured along their carapace.
Distribution & Life Cycle
Western King Prawns are found around most of coastal Australia except New South Wales and Victoria where the Eastern King Prawn, a very similar species, may be found. The prawns spawn at different times, depending on the location, and may also have multiple spawnings. Large females may carry 1.5 million eggs. Once hatched, the larvae remain offshore for 2-3 weeks before using incoming tides to move to sheltered inshore regions. They remain in these areas for up to a year before moving offshore, again using the tides.
The prawns reach maturity at between 1 and 2 years of age. They feed on decaying matter (detritus). Their main predators are fish, eg snapper.
Commercial Fishing in the Region
South Australia and Western Australia have the main commercial fisheries for the Western King Prawn. 'Demersal otter trawling' is commonly used, which involves a roughly triangular net being dragged along the sea floor, in front of which are 'tickler chains'. These chains disturb the prawns, which would otherwise burrow into the seabed. Most (about 70%) of the catch is exported to the Japanese market, with the remainder consumed in Australia.
References
Kailola, P.; Williams, M.J.; Stewart, P.C.; Reichelt, R.E.; McNee, A.; Grieve, C. 1993,
Australian Fisheries Resources
Bureau of Resource Sciences, Dept. of Primary Industries and Energy, and Fisheries Resource and Development Corporation, Canberra Australia.
South Australian Research and Development Institute Top of page |
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