Population structure, length-weight relationship and growth of white seabream, Diplodus sargus sargus (Linneaus, 1758), in Beymelek Lagoon, Turkey

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to investigate the population structure, length-weight relationship (LWR) and growth of white seabream, Diplodus sargus sargus (L., 1758) in Beymelek Lagoon, Turkey. Samples were collected by gilland trammel nets of various mesh sizes, February 2006 to January 2007. A total of 355 specimens (51 males; 34 females; 270 unidentified) were collected. Male to female ratio was 1.50 : 1. Ages ranged from 0 to 3 years; about 70% were juveniles. Most fish were between 13 and 16 cm in total length and below 90 g in weight. The LWR of all individuals was W = 0.0140 x L-3.1028. The von Bertalanffy growth equation was calculated as L-t = 39.9 x [1 - exp (-0.268 x (t + 1.753)] and the growth performance index (Phi') was 6.056.