Spawning Prawns

[Tanglefoot]

I'm starting to see a lot of spawners in my catch; I guess it is that time of year. We've been dropping them back into the drink but I'm wondering if a) they will survive the 'ups and downs' or b) maybe I'm just adding to the next fellow's catch because he/she might not put 'em back[8]. What's the general feeling on this?

Tom

 

[orion91]

yeah i've been prawning for a few years and the first prawn with eggs i've ever cought was last week, up on the sunshine coast.

I would always throw them back.

 

[TheRock]

Prawns don't have swim bladders like a rock cod so they will survive the trip to the surface and back down as long they don't get munched half way down! If you let the pregnant females go at least they will have a chance to get back down to spawn and in hopes they will avoid the next fellows net who might keep them. Only thing you can do is give them that chance.. all you can do...

 

[TheRock]

Did you know that spot prawns are born as males and change sex after a few years of life...! One way to look at it... all the prawns you do keep are potential spawners if they live long enough (3 years) to mature into a female to spawn that is.....
http://www.fish.washington.edu/people/nlowry/excluder/prawnsex.html

 

[Pablo2079]

Orion - Where do you prawn on the Sunshine Coast?

 

[orion91]

I go prawning by Francis Point or within all the small islands there.

 

[scottyboy]

concerned your name is funny man . lol

 

[LOHI]

How is francis point gonna be in Nov. ?