Age, Growth, and Gonadosomatic Index (GSI) of Mediterranean Horse Mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus Steindachner, 1868) in the Eastern Black Sea

Authors: CEMALETTİN ŞAHİN, NAZLI KASAPOĞLU, A. MUTLU GÖZLER, FERHAT KALAYCI, NECATİ HACIMURTAZAOĞLU, CENGİZ MUTLU

Abstract: The aim of this study was to calculate the basic population parameters of Trachurus mediterraneus off the coast of the Eastern Black Sea. Average total length was estimated as 13.52 ± 1.884 cm for the entire population, 13.08 ± 1.594 cm for males, and 13.62 ± 1.804 for females. Average weight was 20.27 ± 8.819 g for the entire population, 18.65 ± 7.626 g for males, and 21.31 ± 9.184 g for females. Age of the fish ranged between 0 and 5 years. Length-weight, age-length, and age-weight relationships were estimated for the population, where W = 0.0089 × L^{2.9552}; L_t = 26.09 (1 - e{-0.125(t + 4.002)}); and W_t = 136.56 (1 - e{-0.125(t + 4.002)}). Total mortality rates were Z = 3.73 year^{-1} and M = 0.29 year^{-1} for natural deaths, and F = 3.44 year^{-1} for fishing mortality.

Keywords: Mediterranean horse mackerel, T. mediterraneus, Eastern Black Sea, age, growth, gonadosomatic index (GSI)

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