Abstract

Changes in length, weight and fecundity of mature females of the Kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum) were compared for the periods 1948–1950, 1974 and 2007 in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea. The average fork length decreased from 54.1 over 44.7 to 43.9 cm and the average weight from 2181 over 1295 to 1210 g. However, the average condition factor has remained fairly constant and varied between 1.35 and 1.38. The potential fecundity of the Kutum for the three periods also decreased from 106,800 over 74,600 to 64,400 eggs. Size and fecundity of the Caspian Kutum has therefore sharply declined during the last six decades. The reduction of fecundity is apparently the consequence of the shift towards smaller fish size.

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