Population parameters of red mullet Mullus barbatus ponticus Essipov, 1927, in the south-eastern Black Sea, Turkey

Abstract

In this study, the population parameters of red mullet Mullus barbatus ponticus Essipov, 1927in the south-eastern Black Sea were studied. A total of 965 specimens were studied between November 2017 and September 2018. The total length of the specimens ranged from 9.5 to 21.0 cm (13.74 +/- 0.048 cm), while weight varied between 9.00 and 111.14 g (28.00 +/- 0.349 g). Their ages were between 1 to 4 and 79% of fish were 2 and 3 years old. Sex ratio (M:F) was determined as 1:1.42. The mean condition factor K was 1.03 +/- 0.003. Length-weight relationship and von Bertalanffy growth equations were W=0.0059*L-3.2166 and Lt=36[1-e(-0.0741(t+3.9775))] respectively. Total, natural and fishing mortality rates were Z=0.878 year(-1), M=0.238 year(-1) and F=0.640 year(-1), respectively. The exploitation rate was calculated to be E=0.729, which is above the optimum exploitation level.