Length-Weight Relationships (LWRs) of Fourteen Marine Pelagic Fish Species in the Southeastern Arabian Sea

Abstract

The length-weight relationships (LWRs) of fourteen marine pelagic fish species were determined in the southeastern Arabian Sea. Specimens were collected on weekly basis from two major fishing harbours (Mangalore and Malpe) along the Karnataka coast during 2017–2018. The fish were caught using wide variety of fishing gears such as trawlnets, purse seines, ring seines, gillnets and long lines. The estimated LWRs were highly significant (p 0.90) for all the species. The allometric coefficient b ranged from 2.7 to 3.4, falling within the expected ranges. The results of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed no significant difference (p 3) or negative allometric (b < 3) whereas few species such as Sardinella longiceps (male), Euthynnus affinis and Sphyraena obtusata (male and combined sex) exhibited isometric growth (b = 3). The study provides the basic biological information on the LWRs of fourteen commercially important pelagic fish species which will be useful as baseline information for further biological research in the region.