POPULATION DYNAMICS OF THE BOMBAY DUCK, HARPODON NEHEREUS (HAM.), OFF SAURASHTRA COAST

Abstract

The growth parameters estimated for H.nehereus are K=0.7618, L<»> =425^ mm and t„=0.00789 yrs. Thetotal mortality coefficient (Z) varied between 2.331 and 3.168 during 1979-'84. Yield per recruit (Yw/R) was estimated at 10.819g at F max 1.048. The size at first capture is very low (0.21 year), however,there is no possibility to fish dose to optimum age at exploitation (ty) in view of low catch registeredin the-higher sized mesh dal net of 30 and 40mm. The estimated maximum sustainable yield (MSY) wasat 44,0661 and the average yield was 44,0641 along the Saurashtra coast. In view of high Z during Februaryto May and low percentage of commercial sized fish, suitable management strategy to be adopted arediscussed in the paper.