Abundance and Ponderal Index of White Shrimp (Penaeus merguiensis) in Estuary Water

Abstract

Research regarding the abundance and ponderal index of white shrimp (Penaeus merguiensis) in the estuary water of Karang Gading, Sumatera Utara has been conducted. Sampling of white shrimp used nylon webbing material. The white shrimps obtained were calculated for their number of individuals, carapace length and body weight, as well as their abundance, distribution, growth pattern and ponderal index. The study concluded that the white shrimps are very abundant in each stations. Distribution of white shrimp in the estuary waters belong to group distribution pattern. The growth pattern at station 1 and 2 is a positive allometric, while at station 3 is negative allometric, and the ponderal index of white shrimp in each station indicated that shrimps were in robust condition.