Stock assessment of Indian scad, Decapterus russelli (Ruppell, 1830) off Malabar was carried out. The Lα and
K values were 271.2 mm and 1.22 y-1 respectively. The length-weight relationship can be described by the
equation Log W = -3.2706 +2.6317 Log L. The estimated mortality rates Z, F and M in the species were 3.79
y-1, 1.71 y-1 and 2.08 y-1 respectively. Recruitment of this species was continuous with two peaks per year. The
length at first capture and length at recruitment were taken as 145 mm and 55 mm respectively. The current
exploitation ratio (0.49) is below the optimum (0.69) indicating that the resource is under-exploited.

Stock assessment, Indian scad, Decapterus russelli, Malabar Coast, management brief