Some biological aspects of bogue Boops boops (Linnaeus, 1758) from Saros Bay (Northern Aegean Sea, Turkey)

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the growth parameters, mortality and length at first maturity of bogue Boops boops (Linneaus, 1758) in Saros Bay (Northern Aegean Sea). A total of 363 specimens were obtained, monthly, from commercial fishermen between February 2016 and January 2017. The total length and weight of sampled fish ranged from 11.3 to 24.1 cm and from 16.61 to 165.32 g, with a mean of 16.9 cm and 60.40 g, respectively. The length-weight relationship was calculated as W = 0.0080TL3.13. The von Bertalanffy growth equations were computed to be 𝐿∞ = 27.9 cm, k = 0.21 year-1, 𝑡0 = -1.57 year. The growth performance index (𝛷′) was found as 2.21. The length at first maturity was estimated as 16.6 cm. Total mortality rate (Z), natural mortality rate (M), fishing mortality rate (F) and exploitation rate (E) of the bouge were 0.44 year-1, 0.38 year-1, 0.06 year-1 and 0.13 year-1, respectively. The present study provides preliminary information on the growth parameters, mortality and length at first maturity of B. boops for the Saros Bay (Northern Aegean Sea, Turkey).