The importance of the Atlantic seabob shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri as a food source for demersal fishes in the coastal waters of Suriname

The Atlantic seabob shrimp (Xiphopenaeus kroyeri) occurs abundantly in the near-shore waters of South-America's North coast, where it is targeted by coastal fisheries. In Suriname, X. kroyeri is caught in both artisanal and semi-industrial fisheries, together generating employment and income for coastal inhabitants and constituting an important domestic protein supply. Clearly, X. kroyeri is one of the most abundant demersal organisms in the coastal ecosystem, up to ca. 30m depth. The species is therefor likely to make an important contribution to diet of other organisms, mainly bottom-dwelling fishes. The aim of this study is to quantify the trophic link between X. kroyeri and marine fishes. This will be done by sampling different fish species (and length classes) and identify their diet through stomach content analysis. This work will provide insight on the importance of X. kroyeri in the near-shore food web of Suriname, and on the effect the fishery for this shrimp might have on other fish stocks and -through food competition- on the fisheries targeting them.

ISCED Categories


0511 - Biology", "0521 - Ecology", "0831 - Fisheries