Estimation of Population Parameters of Anchovy, Engraulis Encrasicolus L. 1758, at 2004-2005 Fishing Season in the Middle Black Sea, Using Length Frequency Analysis Methods

Abstract

This investigation was carried out to determine age, growth and mortality of 1245 anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus L. 1758, in the Black Sea between November 2004 and May 2005. Growth parameters were estimated after determining the chorts by the "Bhattacharya" method. 0-3 ages groups with mean lengths of 7.90 +/- 0.05, 9.91 +/- 0.04, 11.66 +/- 0.02 and 13.86 +/- 0.03 cm were obtained. The sex ratio was 57% females and 43% males in the stock. The determined minimum and maximum length were 6.5 cm and 15.2 cm, weight were 0.98 g and 20.8 g, respectively. Condition factor, length-weight and age-length relationship for overal, female and male were CF = 0.616 +/- 0.002, CF = 0.612 +/- 0.003, CF = 0.624 +/- 0.003, W= 0.0066L(2.9669) (r=0.96), W=0.0119L(2.7266) (r=0.93), W= 0.0061L(3.0071) (r=0.96), Lt=21.17[1(-e-0.196(t+2.314))], Lt=20.42[1-e(-0.187(t+2.287))] and Lt=20.09[1-e(-0.191(t+2.419))], respectively. Length-weight and condition factors in male and female were statisticaly significant (p<0.05). Total (Z), natural (M) and fishing (F) mortality rate were Z=1.85 year(-1), M = 0.34 year(-1) and F = 1.51 year(-1), respectively. The exploitation rates (E) of 0.82 indicate that the population was being heavily exploited.