Dynamics of the age composition of the red king crab males in the Barents Sea with account of probability molt

The aim of the research was improvement of the algorithm of age determination for red king crab males in the Barents Sea, by taking into account the molting probability. Materials were the data of research surveys and fisheries monitoring obtained in 2001–2022 and combined in 54 data sets, as well tagging data published in open press. As results the previous algorithm which allowed establish the age composition of the red king crab males catches was improved. The parameters of the model of the dependence of the probability of molting on the width of the carapace, which was established earlier according to the tagging data, were changed. The modified model allowed to improve the adequacy of the estimates by reducing the values of the approximation error. Compared to the previous estimates of the age composition, the account of the probable molting history did not lead to a significant revision of the results: all noticeable generations remained the same as before, the time for recording a generation in catches however increased from 10 to 12 years. The parameters of the proposed model are the closest to those for the Kikhchik subpopulation of the red king crab off the Western Kamchatka. The contradiction associated with the discrepancy in the assessment of the maximum age of both the generation and individual specimens is discussed. Practical value. The obtained results can be applied for the red king crab stocks assessment with the help of cohort models.