Population Composition, Growth and Fisheries of Nemipterus randalli Russell, 1986 in Antalya Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, Turkey

Abstract

Most of the species migrating to the Mediterranean Sea as a result of the Lessepsian migration have been forming a sustainable population. In this study, population composition, growth, and fisheries of Nemipterus randalli Russell, 1986, an Indo-Pacific fish and live in Antalya Gulf, North-East Mediterranean Sea, were analyzed. The monthly samples were collected (N = 1715) by using experimental bottom trawl. The fish size ranges between 3.9 and 23.8 cm in total length, 0.73 and 171.78 g in weight, males are larger than females, and the length-weight relation was estimated as W = 0.0173 × TL 2.8584. The male and female ratio was calculated as 1:1.402, females are predominant in the population. The average condition factor fluctuated seasonally and ranged between 1.089 and 1.346. Five age groups were identified in the population; Von Bertalanffy Growth Equation was estimated as Lt = 32.56 [1-e -0.20 (t+1.75)]. The size, sex, and age composition show that it established a sustainable population in Antalya Gulf, grows well, reproduce and to be an item of bottom trawl fisheries, and sold in small percentages.