engleski

Age, growth and mortality of the garfish, Belone belone (L. 1761) in the Adriatic Sea

A sample of 3393 garfish, Belone belone (L. 1761)was captured using a seine net between January 2003 and December 2008, along the eastern Adriatic Sea. The range in total length was 20.8–75.4 cm and in weight was 12.21–639.25 g. Length–length equations for converting size measurements (standard length and fork length to total length (TL)) were linear. In the length–weight relationship, positive allometry was established (b ¼ 3.4818). Age, determined from sagittal otoliths, ranged from 1+ to 8+ years. The estimated von Bertalanffy model growth parameters for garfish were L1 ¼ 90.3 cm, K ¼ 0.158 year21, t0 ¼ 20.109. Otolith weight was endorsed as a possible age predictor, as it showed highly exponential correlation with total garfish length and age (Wo ¼ 0.0012 TL2.189 ; Wo ¼ 0.568t1.486). These findings were used to examine mortality rates and exploitation in order to improve conservation and management of this pelagic species.

length–weight relationship; otolith; growth; mortality; garfish; Adriatic

Special Issue: Fish and Fisheries.