Investigation of Some Population Parameters of Common Sole, Solea solea (L., 1758) from İskenderun Bay

Authors: MUSTAFA TÜRKMEN

Abstract: Data on age, growth, reproduction, mortality and exploitation were examined for common sole collected in İskenderun Bay from March 2000 to February 2001. The examined individuals were aged between 1 and 8 years. Total length ranged from 8.8 to 28.2 cm. The length-weight relationships for males (a = 0.0117, b = 2.998) and females (a = 0.0091, b = 3.077) showed no significant difference from isometric growth. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters were L_{\infty} = 26.03 cm, k = 0.221 year^{-1}, t_o = -1.31 for males and L_{\infty} = 29.95 cm, k = 0.181 year^{-1}, t_o = -1.55 for females. The reproductive activity of the common sole in the Bay of İskenderun took place between April and May, peaking in April. First maturity lengths (L_m) were 14.8 cm for males and 15.2 cm for females. Total (Z), natural (M) and fishing (F) mortalities were Z = 1.32 year^{-1}, M = 0.50 year^{-1} and F = 0.82 year^{-1}, respectively. The exploitation ratio E = 0.62 indicates that the population is being heavily exploited.

Keywords: Common sole, Solea solea, İskenderun Bay, Age, Growth, Reproduction, Mortality and Exploitation

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