Population dynamics of the green mussel Perna viridis from the high spat-fall coastal water of Malacca, Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Population parameters such as asymptotic length ( L ∞), growth coefficient ( K), mortality rates ( Z, F and M), exploitation level ( E) and recruitment pattern of green mussel Perna viridis were estimated using length–frequency data from the coast of Malacca, Peninsular Malaysia. Asymptotic length ( L ∞) was 102.38 mm and growth coefficient ( K) was estimated at 1.50 year −1. Total mortality ( Z) for P. viridis was 2.48 year −1, while natural mortality ( M) and fishing mortality ( F) were 1.69 and 0.79 year −1, respectively. The growth performance index was ( φ′) 4.197 and the exponent “ b” of the length–weight relationship was 2.602 (±0.02) during the study period. The asymptotic wet weight estimated from length–weight relationship was 40.81 g. Exploitation level ( E) of P. viridis was 0.32 while the maximum allowable limit of exploitation ( E max) was 0.43. The recruitment pattern was continuous with one major peak in the months of July–August. The exploitation level (0.32) and lower fishing mortality (0.79 year −1) indicate that the green mussel is under-exploited from Malacca coastal waters.