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The reproduction of the native penaeid shrimp, Melicertus kerathurus (Forskål, 1775) was studied along the marine belt of the southeastern coast of Italy, between the cities of Termoli and Peschici, in an area covering approximately 100 km, down to the isobath of 35 m. Sampling was carried out periodically from June 2006 to September 2007, by experimental trawl survey. The results proved that the main reproductive period of Melicertus kerathurus spans from the end of May to about mid-August, with the main peak falling in June and July. The sex ratio (males/females) averaged 1.44 (± 0.61), with oscillations between 0.61 and 2.70. The size-at-maturity was estimated at 127.56 mm Total Length (CL = 31.42 mm) in males and 175.18 mm (CL = 45.56 mm) in females. The average gonadosomatic index varied in females at stage IV of ovarian maturity from 10.7% in June to 9.69% in July, with maximum values of 7.35% and 14.35% (± 1.99%). Relative fecundity averaged 79,143 (± 19,041) mature oocytes and the main absolute fecundity resulted in 322,102 (± 100,482). The average diameter of mature oocytes was determined to be 258.70 (± 57.49) μm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]