Weight - Length Relationships (WLRs) of Anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus with the Evaluation of Overfishing Effects on the Slope (b) in the Black Sea (Turkey)

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine the weight-length relationships (WLRs) of Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) caught by purse seine off the Rize and Trabzon provinces coasts of the southeastern Black Sea, Turkey and to compare as a whole the WLRs parameters of E. encrasicolus obtained from different fishing seasons and locality for contributing fisheries management of this Black Sea’ key fish species. The WLRs parameters showed that E. encrasicolus exhibited negative allometric growth characteristics for both sexes (Pauly’t test, P < 0.05). To compare the estimations calculated from the present study with other studies, Log (a) values were plotted against values of slope (b), proved to be consistent with previous studies data. In addition to this, when the WLRs parameters (b) of Anchovy is evaluated historically, it has been determined that the Anchovy exhibited positive allometric growth in the mid-1985, isometric growth from 1990 to 2000 and negative allometric growth after the 2000s. The overexploitation on anchovy stocks has shown itself in fish growth over the years. This study provides new basic information on the LWRs for Anchovy stocks, in support of sustainable fisheries management of this species and especially of the coastal waters in the Black Sea, Turkey.