Fishery, age, growth, mortality and stock assessment of Priacanthus hamrur Forskal from Bombay waters

Perches form an important marine fisheries resources fi-om the coast of India. During 1969 - 81 period the average catch of perch was 27,184 tonnes. The annual average catch of perch during 1983 - 85 period in Maharashtra was 6508 t contributing 11% of the all India perch catch. The annual average catch of this resource at New Ferry Wharf and Sassoon Dock landing centres of Greater Bombay during 1980 - 88 period was 1791.6 t with New Ferry Wharf contributing 83.87% and Sassoon Dock 16.13%. Fitting of quadratic equation to the catch at both the landing centres indicated increasing trend. Age and growth study on Priacanthus hamrur Forskal shows that this species grows to 193, 283 and 323 mm at the end of I, II and III years of its life. The von Bertalanffy's growth parameters in length were estimated as follows ; L «o = 360 mm, K = 0.736 (annual) and t„ = -0.009116 years. The total, natural and fishing mortality for 1989 - 90 period were calculated as : Z = 3.08, M = 1.52 and F = 1.56. The exploitation ratio (E) and exploitation rate (U) were calculated as 0.506 and 0.482 respectively. The standing stock (Y/F) and total stock (Y/U) were estimated as 331.92 t and 1074.28 t respectively as compared to the present combined yield of 517.81 t from New Ferry Wharf and Sassoon Docks. The MSY was estimated as 201.8 t