Relatorio do cruzeiro realizado no Banco de Sofala pelo arrastao Muleve em Julho-Agosto/1979

In July-August 1979 a first survey of Sofala Bank was carried out with shallow water prawn resources as the main objective. Some preliminary conclusions on the circulation in the Sofala Bank and the influence of the Zambezi River in this area were drawn. Analysis of catch rates and distribution of the different prawn species resulted in the division of Sofala Bank in 6 areas. Particular importance is given to the species Penaeus indicus and Metapenaeus monoceros which constitute 70-90% of catches in depths less than 25 m. The greatest concentrations of P. indicus are found very close to the shore, principally in an area north of Quelimane and another south of Angoche. At the time of the survey 40% of females of this species were in late maturing stages. The species M. monoceros is most abundant in depths greater than 15 m, with concentrations south of Zambezi River and in small areas near Pebane and Angoche.