Growth, mortality and stock assessment of sin croaker Johnieops sina (Cuvier, 1830) from Ratnagiri waters, Maharashtra

Abstract

Growth, mortality and stock parameters of Johnieops sina was assessed based on the length frequency data collected from Ratnagiri during 2009-11. The growth parameters were estimated as L∞ = 266 mm, K = 0.9 y-1 and t0 = -0.002 years. Mortality coefficients Z, M and F were estimated as 7.03, 1.81 and 5.22 respectively. The exploitation rate ‘E’ was very high at 0.74. Virtual population analysis followed by Thompson and Bell analysis indicated that there is no decline in the catch at the present level of fishing, but further increase in effort may not be good for the stock in the long run.