Abstract
This paper describes the weight–length relationships (WLRs) and Fulton’s condition factors (K) of skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) in purse seine fisheries from three cruises in the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO): August–September 2009 (AS09), November–December 2012 (ND12), and June–July 2013 (JJ13). The fork length and weight of a total of 1678 specimens were measured. The results showed that the fork length of more than 70% of specimens was below 60 cm (76% in AS09, 87% in ND12, and 73% in JJ13). The coefficient b in the combined sex group was 3.367, 3.300 and 3.234 in JJ13, AS09 and ND12, respectively. The b values of WLRs when fork length was >60 cm were significantly less than 3 (P = 0.062), but when fork length was <60 cm they were significantly greater than 3 (P = 0.028). The K value ranges of JJ13, AS09 and ND12 in different fork length groups were 1.3–1.84 (1.62 ± 0.18), 1.57–2.02 (1.86 ± 0.15), and 1.44–1.78 (0.65 ± 0.13), respectively. Moreover, K values in different fork length classes for each cruise had one turning point: 60–65 cm for JJ13; 60–65 cm for ND12; and 55–60 cm for AS09. The results of this study provide basic information on the WLRs and K values of skipjack tuna in different seasons and growth phases in the WCPO, which are useful for fishery biologists and fishery managers.
Highlights
Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) is a pelagic, high productivity species with a maximum age below 4.5 years (Fromentin & Fonteneau, 2001)
To address these research gaps, the present study provides a comprehensive analysis of these biological parameters in skipjack tuna sampled in different seasons and different growth phases in the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO)
Study area Skipjack tuna were sampled during three cruises in the WCPO: August–September 2009 (AS09); November–December 2012 (ND12); and June–July 2013 (JJ13) (Fig. 1)
Summary
Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) is a pelagic, high productivity species with a maximum age below 4.5 years (Fromentin & Fonteneau, 2001). As an important commercial species, it is mainly caught in tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans. Catches of skipjack tuna comprise more than 70% of all tuna catches in the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO), where half of the world’s tuna is caught. How to cite this article Jin et al (2015), Weight–length relationships and Fulton’s condition factors of skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) in the western and central Pacific Ocean. In the WCPO, 86% of skipjack tuna are caught from the purse seine fishery (Harley et al, 2011). Some basic biological parameters (e.g., size, weight) are crucial for evaluating fishery sustainability and to assess stocks (Fromentin & Fonteneau, 2001; Hampton, 2000)
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