On the age, growth and mortality of Sardinella gibbosa (Blkr.) of Karwar waters (West coast of India)

Age, growth and mortality were estimated based on age composition of the fishery. Sardinella gibbosa (Blkr.) attains a size of 140-150 mm, 160-165 mm and 180-185 mm at the end of 1, 2 and 3 years of life. The average value of total instantaneous rate of mortality (Z) was 1.31 and the natural mortality rate (M), 0.8212. The fishing mortality (F) varied from 0.09 to 0.38 indicating further scope of exploitation of this resource Growth parameters estimated by Von Bertalanffy equation showed Loc of 183 mm, K of 1.61 and to of -0.43 for 1979-1983 period. This resource ranks first in abundance among lesser sardine resources of this area in purse seiners