Stock assessment of big eye croaker Pennahia macrophthalamus (Bleeker) (Pisces/Perciformes/Sciaenidae) from Bombay waters

Abstract

Growth, mortality and stock assessment of big eye croaker Pennahia macrophthalamus(Bleeker) is reported in the present communication. The asymptotic length of this species is estimated as 260mm and growth coefficient 1.20 per year. The total, natural and fishing mortalities were estimated as 3.24, 2.81 and 0.43 respectively. The stock assessment studies were carried out using length cohort and Thompson & Bell model. The result of this study shows that there is no decline in the catch of this species at the present level of exploitation. However, it is observed that even if the fishing efforts are doubled the catch can go up by only 12.74%. Therefore, further increase in the efforts is detrimental to the stock of P.macrophthalamus and the returns may not be remunerative.