Age, Growth and Mortality Rate of Yellowstripe Barracuda, Sphyraena Chrysotaenia Klunzinger 1884 Living in the Northeastern Mediterranean

Abstract

In this study, biological features of Sphyraena chrysotaenia Klunzinger, 1884 determined in Iskenderun Bay (Turkey). A total of 560 individuals were examined by sampling monthly from September 2015 to August 2016. The examined samples were 225 (40.18%) females and 335 (59.82%) males. The total length distribution of S. chrysotaenia ranged from 14.0 to 34.5 cm and the weight distribution from 17.0 to 222.0 g. Growth equations for females and males were calculated as respectively W = 0.0117xL2.7922 and W = 0.0097xL2.8517. The growth of S. chrysotaenia was determined as negative allometric. The minimum and maximum ages determined based on otolith readings for females and males ranged from 1 to 6. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were L∞= 58.682 cm, K = 0.095 year− 1, t0= -2.655 years for females, L∞= 58.907 cm, K = 0.090 year-1, t0= -2.686 years for males, and as L∞= 58.470 cm, K = 0.091 year− 1, t0= -2.647 years for both sexes. Fulton condition factor (CF) value was estimated as 0.6105 ± 0.028, for females, as 0.6092 ± 0.024 for males and as 0.6097 ± 0.018 for combined sexes. The total mortality rate (Z) was calculated as 0.503, the natural mortality rate (M) 0.222, and the fishing mortality rate (F) 0.281. Besides, the fishing mortality (F) was estimated higher than the biological reference points (Fopt =0.111 and Flimit =0.148). The estimated fishing mortality rate and exploitation rate (E = 0.55) obtained results in this study indicate a slightly high fishing pressure on the S. chrysotaenia stock in Iskenderun Bay. Besides, these data were discussed with the other geographical areas growth studies of S. chrysotaenia in the Mediterranean waters. To the best knowledge of the authors, this study presented the first reference on age, growth and mortality rates for this species; also this study will be useful for fishery biologists and managers.