Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Age, growth, mortality and stock assessment of Priacanthus hamrur (Forsskal, 1775) from Mumbai waters

Volume 51 Issue 2

Yassar Saker, S. K. Chakraborty, A. K. Jaiswar and D. Panda

Abstract

Based on the data collected for two years from Sassoon Docks and New Ferry Wharf landing centers of Mumbai (2006-2008), the growth, mortality and stock of Priacanthus hamrur were assessed. The
von Bertalanffy growth functions were L∞ =360 mm, K = 0.69 per year and t0 = -0.00065 years. Based on this, the growth at the end of I - IV years of its life was worked out to be 180, 269, 315 and 337
mm. The mortality coefficients Z, M, and F were 3.09, 1.19, and 1.9 respectively. The exploitation ratio (E) and exploitation rate (U) were calculated as 0.61 and 0.58 respectively. Length cohort analysis
indicated that F was high in 259.5 - 289.5 mm length groups. Thompson and Bell predictive model shows that there is no decline in the catch at the present level of fishing which stood at 414 t. Even
if the fishing pressure is increased up to f-factor of 1.6, there will be no decline in the catch. However, it is suggested to maintain effort at the present level in order to maintain the sustainable catches of the species in future.

Keywords

Bullseye, growth, mortality, exploitation, stock assessment

Date : 20-02-2010