Living on the edge: population parameters of the wedge clam Donax hanleyanus in its southernmost limit of distribution range, Southwest Atlantic, Argentina

The wedge clam Donax hanleyanus (Philippi, 1845) is a conspicuous member of the sandy beach macrofauna along hundreds of km in the northern coasts of Argentina. Age, growth, mortality and productivity of this species were assessed in its southernmost limit of distribution range (Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina). The von Bertalanffy growth function parameters were SL∞ = 23.23 mm, K = 1.62 year-1, and t0 = 0.08 years. The maximum individual production amounted 7.9 x 10-7 g shell-free wet mass (SFWM)·year-1 at a shell length of 14-16 mm. Individuals between 10- mm and 12- mm contributed the most to the secondary production P of 0.01 g SFWM·m-2·year-1. The mean annual biomass B was of 0.002 g SFWM·m-2·year-1. Annual P/B ratio and mortality coefficient Z were 4.48 year-1 and 4.78 year-1, respectively. Low production and high mortality could be caused by a sharp decrease in habitat quality, given by suboptimal temperatures at the southernmost edge of the species distribution. These results strongly limit its potential in a future scenario of commercial exploitation.

Age, growth and mortality of the anchovy Stolephorus commersonnii (Lacepède,1803) (Clupeiformes) caught off the coast of Tanga, Tanzania

The population dynamics of Stolephorus commersonnii (Lacepède, 1803) from a ringnet fishery operating off the northern coast of Tanga Region were evaluated based on monthly length-frequency data collected from August 2016 to August 2017. The total length (TL) and total weight (TW) of 14,410 individuals ranged from 22 to 130 mm and from 0.39 to 14.64 g respectively. S. commersonnii exhibited a negative allometric growth pattern with the length-weight relationship model: W = 0.00001 x L2.886. The von Bertalanffy growth function was Lt = 86.03 x (1 – e–1.19(t – (–0.01))) using ELEFAN I from the FiSAT II software tool package. Growth performance index and longevity were estimated at (ɸ) = 3.9 and Tmax = 2.5 yrs, respectively. The total (Z), fishing (F) and natural (M) mortalities were determined at 1.39, 0.53 and 0.86 yr-1, respectively. The current exploitation rate (Ecur) was estimated at 0.38. S. commersonnii exhibited a year-round breeding pattern, with two recruitment peaks in March and June/July. Length-at-first-capture (Lc50) and length-at-first-sexual maturity (Lm50) were 40.51 and 57.35 mm TL, respectively, suggesting growth overfishing. The stock of anchovy indicates an overfishing scenario requiring management intervention such as reducing fishing effort levels, increasing mesh sizes and introducing seasonal closures during peak spawning periods.

Growth, Mortality and Exploitation Levels of Sphyraena sphyraena (Pisces: Sphyraenidae) and Apsilus fuscus (Pisces: Lutjanidae) in Ghanaian Waters

Sphyraena sphyraena (Linnaeus, 1758) and Apsilus fuscus (Valenciennes, 1830) are commercially important fish species in Ghana. The stocks are exploited mainly by the artisanal and semi-industrial fisheries. Growth and mortality rates, and exploitation levels of the two stocks in inshore waters of Ghana were assessed as a contribution to fill the knowledge gap on the species. Samples were obtained from three landing sites along the coast of Ghana from February to July, 2017. Length-frequency data were used to estimate growth, mortality and exploitation ratios. The modal class for S. sphyraena was 37.0–39.9 cm total length (TL) and 34.0–35.9 cm TL for A. fuscus. The length and weight relationships established that growth in S. sphyraena was negative allometric, whereas that of A. fuscus was isometric. The estimated growth parameters from the length frequency data fitted with the von Bertalanffy growth function were asymptotic length (L∞) of 69.9 cm TL for S. sphyraena and 53.5 cm TL for A. fuscus. The growth constant (K) was calculated as 1.64 yr-1 for S. sphyraena and 0.50 yr-1 for A. fuscus. The mean length-at-first capture (Lc) was found to be lower than the mean length at sexual maturity (Lm) for both species. The sex ratio showed a dominance of females over males in S. sphyraena, and 1:1 for A. fuscus. The total mortality rate (Z) for S. sphyraena was more than for A. fuscus. The estimated natural mortality (M) was 1.88 yr-1 for S. sphyraena and 0.74 yr-1 for A. fuscus whilst fishing mortality (F) rate was 3.04 yr-1 for S. sphyraena and 0.93 yr-1 for A. fuscus. The exploitation ratio showed that both fish stocks were exploited over the optimum levels. The estimated population parameters of the species obtained from the study, therefore, might be useful for the sustainable management of the stocks.

Biological aspects of juvenile great hammerhead sharks Sphyrna mokarran from the Arabian Gulf

The life history of the critically endangered great hammerhead Sphyrna mokarran was examined using samples collected from commercial fisheries operating in Saudi Arabian waters of the Arabian Gulf. In all, 105 specimens (47 males, 58 females), with a total length (TL) ranging from 67.0 to 236.0cm, were examined between April 2016 and November 2019. All individuals were immature. A neonate measuring 67.0cm TL caught in early June suggested the parturition period of this species was during May and June. Vertebrae under the first dorsal fin from 69 individuals (30 males, 39 females) were processed. Three age groups, from 0+ to 2+ years old, were identified by vertebrae analysis. Based on the relationship between vertebral central diameter and TL, the Fraser–Lee approach was used to back-calculate the growth history of TL. A two-parameter von Bertalanffy growth function provided the best fit to describe early growth of great hammerheads during 0–2.9 years of age based on observed and back-calculated length-at-age data. The asymptotic lengths and k values were estimated to be 256.8cm TL and 0.449 year–1 respectively. This study provides the first life history information of great hammerhead sharks in the north-western Indian Ocean.

Growth curves of the yellowlegs shrimp Penaeus californiensis Holmes, 1900 (Decapoda, Penaeidae), using length data

The yellowlegs shrimp Penaeus californiensis is an oceanic species that approaches the coastal zone for its reproduction. However, in the southern Gulf of California, this species also enters coastal lagoons to grow and reproduce. To test the hypothesis that the growth of P. californiensis differs between these two environments, monthly samplings of shrimp were made in the interior of the Navachiste coastal lagoon and its adjacent marine area. To determine growth, age groups were identified using the size structures over time. Five cases of the Schnute model were adjusted to the data, and the best case was selected using a multi-model selection approach. A sigmoid-shaped curve best represented the female data (case 2), and the inverted exponential curve (case 5; equivalent to the Von Bertalanffy growth function) was best for males. Average growth differed between sexes () but not between environments ().

Growth and Mortality of Sillago sihama (Forsskål) from Karachi Coast, Pakistan

Length frequency data of silver sillago, Sillago sihama (Forsskål) were collected and measured from the fisherman catches using beach seines and handlines, at random, during 2012 from the Karachi coast of Pakistan. In this study, 1846 fish individuals (male and female combined) were collected ranging from 10 to 24 cm with dominant individuals ranged 12 to 16 cm (total length). Weight ranging was measured from 9 to 110 g. The above length-frequency data were analysed for the estimation of growth and mortality parameters. The power coefficient b of length-weight, the relationship was estimated at 2.9177. The estimated von Bertalanffy growth, function parameters of 25.20 cm (L∞) and 1.00 year-1 (K) were calculated by ELEFAN method equipped on FiSAT computer package. With length-converted catch curve analysis, the total mortality rate (Z) and its 95% confidence interval were 2.42 (2.174-2.669) year-1. The natural mortality rate (M) was 1.84 year-1 calculated with Pauly’s equation (the annual average seawater temperature was 27°C). Therefore, the fishing mortality rate was Z-M= 0.5787year-1. The exploitation ratio (E) estimated as F/Z=0.239 which is less than biological reference point (0.5), therefore it indicates that the stock of S. sihama was exploited at managed.

Natural Growth and Mortality of the Golden Grey Mullet Liza Aurata (Risso, 1810) In the Lagoon of Klisova-Messolonghi (W. Greece)

Growth and mortality of L. aurata (Risso,1810) were estimated in the lagoon of Klisova-Messolonghi (W. Greece), based on age estimation from scale readings of a total of 1048 individuals, ranging between 10 and 59 cm in total length (TL). Age determination revealed nine age classes (0+ to 8+). Maximum age was found to be 8 years for females and 6 years for males respectively. The growth pattern of L. aurata exhibited allometry (b=3.26). The species seems to achieve 34% of its growth during the first year; thereafter the annual growth rate drops. Both sexes presented similar von Bertalanffy growth curves. The von Bertalanffy growth function for the estimated total length-at-age was found Lt = 70.78 [1 - e -0.129(t+1.345)] for the combined sexes. Otolith weight, length and width were tested and they were found to be very good predictors for age. Between the present L. aurata growth parameters and those of other Mediterranean, Caspian and Atlantic Sea for the same species, there were found significant differences in its growth parameters. The total (Z) and natural (M) mortality rate was found to be 0.54 years-1 and 0.33 years-1 respectively. The estimated exploitation rate was found to be E=0.395 which suggests that the existing fishing pressure on L. aurata is rather moderate in the investigated region.

Model Pertumbuhan Dan Status Sumberdaya Panulirus homarus Di Cilacap, Jawa Tengah

Lobster pasir (Panulirus homarus) merupakan salah satu jenis lobster yang banyak di temukan di perairan Indonesia. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada bulan November 2017 sampai bulan Februari 2018 dengan lokasi pengambilan sampel di Pelabuhan Perikanan Samudra Cilacap (PPSC), di Perairan Cilacap Penelitian ini melihat bagaimana model pertumbuhan, dan status sumberdaya, mulai dari Von Bertalanffy, CPUE dan MSY. Estimasi parameter pertumbuhan lobster pasir (Panulirus homarus) dihitung dengan aplikasi Fisat II. Didapatkan hasil model pertumbuhan lobster pasir ( L∞ = 93.66 cm , K = 0.780 dan t0 -1.0950 mm). Hasil CPUE didapatkan persamaan, nilai linier sebesar y = -0.0002 + 0.0965 x, nilai R2= 0,09443 untuk data lima tahun ke belakang terhitung dari 2012 sampai 2016 dalam upaya penangkapan (Panulirus sp.). Analisa Maximum sustainable yield (MSY) di lakukan untuk mengetahui besarnya potensi lestari Panulirus sp. dengan registrasi linier y-0.0002x + 0.965. Pendugaan MSY dan upaya penangkapan Foptimum diperoleh dengan 2412 trip dan nilai MSY 1164.031. Produksi Panulirus sp. di tahun 2016 – 2017 di Perairan Cilacap mengalami kenaikan, pada tahun 2016 terjadi kenaikan di bulan Februari, Maret, April dan Desember. Sedangakan pada tahun 2017 terjadi kenaikan di bulan Maret dan Oktober. Kenaikan ini dikarenakan musim lobster berada di bulan Oktober hingga Februari. Perubahan iklim dan penangkapan yang melebihi batas akan berpengaruh terhadap ukuran dan stok Panulirus sp. di alam. The Spiny lobster (Panulirus homarus) is one species of lobster that is widely found in Indonesian. This research was conducted on November 2017 until February 2018 the sample locations at the Cilacap (PPSC), which observed the growth of models, and the status of resources, regretion Von Bertalanffy Growth function CPUE and MSY. The estimated growth parameters of sand lobster (Panulirus homarus) were calculated using Fisat II application. The results of the spiny lobster growth model were obtained (L∞ = 93.66 cm, K = 0.780 and 0 -1.0950 mm). The CPUE results were obtained equations, linear values of y = -0.0002 + 0.0965 x for five years data from 2012 to 2016 . The Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) analysis was carried out to determine the magnitude of the sustainable potential of Panulirus sp. within linear y-0.0002x + 0.965. The MSY values 1164,031 estimation and (Foptimum) fishing effort were 2.412 trips and MSY values 1164,031. The production of Panulirus sp. start from 2016 to 2017 in the Cilacap has increased, the fact in 2016 there was an increase on February, March, April and December, while in 2017 there was an increase on March and October. So that the increase due to the lobster season being in October to February. In addition, climate alteration and capture exceed the effect of size and stock of Panulirus sp.

Age and growth of the threatened endemic skate Rioraja agassizii (Chondrichthyes, Arhynchobatidae) in the western South Atlantic

The Rio skate Rioraja agassizii is a threatened endemic skate species frequently caught as bycatch in the western South Atlantic. However, there is no biological information about its age and growth parameters, which would be necessary to provide science-based information for the development of management strategies for this species. The aim of the present study was to provide information about the age and growth parameters of R. agassizii. In all, 138 vertebrae from individuals ranging in size from 9.0 to 53.2-cm total length (TL) were analysed. The edge analysis indicated a trend for annual band deposition in the vertebrae. Maximum ages estimated for males and females were 6 and 10 years respectively. Akaike’s information criterion indicated that the modified two-parameter form of the von Bertalanffy growth function (using length at birth L0=9.0cm TL) provided the best fit, with derived parameters of theoretical maximum length L∞=49.6cm TL and growth coefficient k=0.27 for males and L∞=59.0cm TL and k=0.22 for females. Our results are important to understanding the resilience of this skate species to harvest, which can contribute to the development of fisheries management strategies and conservation programs.