Data from: Spatial variability in size at maturity of golden king crab (Lithodes aequispinus) and implications for fisheries management

• Main Authors: Olson, Andrew P., Siddon, Chris E., Eckert, Ginny L.
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: Zenodo 2018
• Subjects: size at maturity; Lithodes aequispinus; 2007-2014; spatial variability; golden king crab; 1998-2014; 1998-2015; 2008-2014; 1972-2014; 2013-2014; Golden King Crab; Alaska
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.jq344

Many crab fisheries around the world are managed by size, sex and season, where males are given at least one opportunity to reproduce before being harvested. Golden king crab (Lithodes aequispinus) supports a commercial fishery in Southeast Alaska and legal size is based on growth and maturity information from other parts of their range. Size at maturity estimates varied for crabs among seven management areas in Southeast Alaska, where male maturity estimates increased in size with increases in latitude while maturity estimates across their North Pacific range decreased in size with increases in latitude. Depth, temperature, and harvest history were not related to variation observed in male maturity estimates. Management implications from this research include reducing legal size in some areas to maximize harvest potential and increasing in others to allow male crab the opportunity to reproduce before being harvested. A more conservative strategy would incorporate the largest maturity estimate thus, increasing the legal size which would have a negative impact to the commercial fishery, but allow male crab the opportunity to reproduce before being harvested. This study shows the importance of understanding how life history characteristics change over space and the challenge incorporating spatial variability for improved fisheries management. SEAK_Male_SAM_Data Male size at maturity data collected for golden king crab (GKC) in Southeast, Alaska, which includes management area, carapace length (CL), and carapace width (CW). SEAK_Female_SAM_Data Size at maturity data for golden king crab collected in Southeast, Alaska, by management area, carapace length (CL), and female maturity. SEAK GKC temp Temperature data associated with golden king crab in Southeast Alaska, collected by management area, date, time, temperature reading. SEAK GKC Depth Observed depth of golden king crab captures in Southeast, Alaska. Male GKC legal spine lengths Male golden king crab spine length data collected in Southeast, Alaska by ...