Population dynamics and stock assessment, of koth (Otolithoides biauritus, Cantor, 1850) along the North-West coast of India

MSY, growth, selection and mortality I,arameters of OtolithoUies biauritus have been worked out from data collected by MFV SarasJlluti of CIFE, and length frequency data from Ferry Wharf, Snsson dock, and Versol'a fish laIllJing centres of Bombay. Values of Loc, K, and to obtained from lenght frequency study are 1572mm, 0.2633/yr and 0.0289 yr respectively, and of weight growth I,arameters are Woe = 10067g, K= 0.03904/yr and to = 0.0137yr. Selection parameters are Lr + 150mm, tr + 0.4167 yr Ie + 240mm and tc = 0.6367yr. Selection factor (K) for codend worl.ed out to be 12. Based on Z=0.6486, the MSY of Otolithoides Mauri/us off northwest coast of India is assessed as 1 ,802 ton~ which is slightly higher than the current catch level of 1,634 tons