Age, growth and reproduction of European hake (Merluccius merluccius (Linn., 1758)) in the Central Aegean Sea, Turkey

WOS: 000354057500018Specimens of European hake were collected by a traditional demersal trawl between July 2004 and June 2007 from zmir Bay, Central Aegean Sea. A total of 2108 individuals were sampled during the study and the female: male sex ratio of the stock was 1:0.89. The length-weight relationship was W=0.00341L(3.24) (R-2=0.994) for all individuals. A high gonadosomatic index was evident over most of the year but it was minimal from August to October. The estimated age composition was 1-5 years; the length and weight at infinity were calculated as L=54.53cm and W=1455.77g respectively. In addition, growth coefficient was found to be k=0.315y(-1) and t(o)=-0.223y (R-2=0.99). Total mortality ratio of the stock was calculated as Z=1.539y(-1), while natural and fishing based mortality ratio were estimated as M=0.579y(-1) and F=0.959y(-1) respectively, with the exploitation ratio (E) of the stock estimated to be 0.624.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) projectTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [103Y132]; Ege University Science and Technology Center (EBILTEM) projectEge University [2005/BIL/003]The present study was carried out with financial support from The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) project 103Y132 and Ege University Science and Technology Center (EBILTEM) project 2005/BIL/003