Some Growth Characteristics of Pellonula leonensis from Luubara Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

The Growth, mortality, population and yield parameters of the Clupeid Pellonula leonensis were studied based on the data collected from artisanal fishers during throughout 2020 along Luubara Creek, Niger Delta. The fish were caught using the Kara cane trap. Total specimen lengths ranged from 4.50-14.50cm and weighing from 0.50-50.00g. The growth pattern of Pellonula leonensis was estimated K (2.300) L∞ (14. 22cm), to (2.140) and Ø (2.72). The value of K and Ø showed that Pellonula leonensis from the creek grows fast and regularly. The evaluation of mortality characteristics of Pellonula leonensis for twelve months showed that total mortality (Z) 7.08yr-1, natural mortality (M) 3.97yr-1 and fishing mortality (F) 3.11yr-1 from the value of M and F, it is crystal clear that M is higher than F. Exploitation (E) of 0.439 obtained in the study showed that the species is under exploited as E was lower than 0.5. The ratio of length at first capture to asymptotic length (Lc/ L∞) estimated showed that Pellonula leonensis with Lc (0.34cm) was caught at a small size. This scenario will lead to growth overfishing if adequate management and regulations are not put in place.