Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Stock assessment of Otolithes cuvieri (Trewavas) off Mumbai

Volume 48 Issue 2

S. K.Chakraborty,R.S.Biradar, A.K.Jaiswar and R.Palaniswamy

Abstract

The lesser tigertooth croaker, Otolithes cuvieri, contributes nearly 22% to the total sciaenid landings at Mumbai. The asymptotic length (L_∞) and growth coefficient (K) for the species were found to be 403mm and 0.6llyear respectively. The total, natural and fishing mortalities were estimated as 2.42, 1.19 and 1.23 respectively. The exploitation ratio and rate were found to be 0.45 and 0.46 respectively. The length at first capture was 22.6cm. Relative yield-per-recruit study shows that the E_max 0 .52 is very close to the present exploitation rate (E) of 0.51. However, the optimum biomass per recruit can be obtained at E of 0.32. The results indicate that the exploitation of this resource is around the MSY level and no further increase in effort is desirable as it may result in decline of catches.

Date : 30-12-2006