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

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.

全球多数蟹类渔业均以体型、性别及季节作为管理依据，要求雄蟹在被捕捞前至少获得一次繁殖机会。金色帝王蟹（*Lithodes aequispinus*）是阿拉斯加东南部商业捕捞的重要物种，其合法捕捞体型基于其分布区内其他区域的生长与性成熟信息确定。阿拉斯加东南部七个管理区域内的该物种雄蟹性成熟体型估算值存在差异：雄蟹的性成熟体型估算值随纬度升高而增大，但北太平洋全域范围内的性成熟体型估算值却随纬度升高而减小。水深、水温及捕捞历史与雄蟹性成熟体型估算值的差异并无关联。该项研究的渔业管理启示包括：在部分区域下调合法捕捞体型以最大化捕捞产能，在其他区域上调合法捕捞体型，以保障雄蟹在被捕捞前获得繁殖机会。更为保守的管理策略将采用最大的性成熟体型估算值，即上调合法捕捞体型，这虽会对商业捕捞产生负面影响，但可确保雄蟹在被捕捞前拥有繁殖机会。本研究凸显了认知物种生活史特征随空间变化的重要性，以及在优化渔业管理中纳入空间变异性所面临的挑战。