Development of Fecundity of Red King Crab during Its Acclimatization in the Barents Sea

Abstract—

The article presents a comparative analysis of the fecundity of the Barents Sea red king crab, its size composition, and size at 50% maturity during the period of its expansion and acclimatization and at present during intense fishing. In addition, based on the published literature data, differences are estimated between the above parameters of Barents Sea individuals and individuals from the crab’s natural habitat. In 2019–2022, the Barents Sea red king crab showed a trend of decreasing its fecundity compared to the period of active acclimatization (1995–2003) before commercial exploitation started. In recent years, changes in the reproductive parameters of the Barents Sea red king crab population have increased the similarity of these characteristics to those for native populations from the Pacific region that began to be actively exploited in the early 20th century.