Growth of Turbot (Psetta Maxima L.) in the Northern Part of the Lithuanian Economic Zone in the Baltic Sea

Abstract

For the establishment of turbot age and growth rate otoliths were used. Growth in length and in weight was described by von Bertalanffy's equation on the basis of the data obtained by back calculation. The carried out investigations revealed the existing differences in male and female growth rate. The rate of turbot growth in length is the highest in its first two years of life, while the difference between the male and female growth rate becomes more apparent in the third year. The greatest growth in weight of turbot females was observed in their eighth year and that of males – in the seventh year of life. The established maximum age of turbot males is 11 years and that of females – 16 years. Analysis of turbot catches of different years revealed the tendency towards decline in the catch of fish of older age groups.