Exploitation and mortality rates of European hake (Merluccius merluccius) in the Aegean Sea (Izmir Bay, Turkey)

WOS: 000318569800013Experimental trawl surveys in Izmir Bay (Aegean Sea) were taken seasonally between 2007 and 2009. A total of 1353 specimens were sampled ranging from 5.9cm (1.4g) to 44.4cm (670g). The main size group of Merluccius merluccius was between 14 and 25cm total length (TL). In total, the mean catch per unit effort (CPUE) for hake by number and weight was 101.4 +/- 18.4 indh1 and 10.7 +/- 1.5kgh1, respectively. Highest mean CPUE by number and biomass was determined as 257.1 +/- 15.1 indh1 and 15.1 +/- 4.9kgh1 in summer. Mortality (M, F, Z) ratios of hake were 0.58year1, 1.66year1 and 2.24year1, respectively. Because of the many smaller specimens caught in this study, this seems to indicate that there may be heavy fishing pressures on the hake population; the high exploitation rate (E=0.74) appears to confirm this conclusion.Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [106Y029]; Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [106Y029]This study was funded by the Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council (TUBITAK Project: 106Y029)