Callinectes ornatus (Ordway, 1863) is one abundant Portunidae species which is caught by sea-bob-shrimp's artisanal fishery in area. During the period from August, 1996 to July, 2002, the crabs were monitored monthly in the Armação do Itapocoroy. C. ornatus shows seasonal fluctuations in its abundance with higher rates in spring and winter. The population width variation of the carapace ranged from 2.0 to 10.0 cm, and the presence of juveniles was common along the year. The species present positive alometric growth, with males and females get to the first gonadal maturation with 5.8 cm and 5.2 cm, respectively. The artisanal fishery in Armação do Itapocory is acting with a higher intensity over the adult stock.
Blue crab; populational biology; relative growth rates
