Investigations of the age and growth characteristics of European Hake (Merluccius merluccius L., 1758) in Edremit Bay

Abstract

This study was hold on to determine the lenght, weight, age and sex distributions and growth parameters of European Hake (Merluccius merluccius, L., 1758) in Edremit Bay between August 1999 and December 2000. During the study, A total of 2375 samples which was collected by trawling from the depth strata between 38-80 meters were investigated and the total lenght and weight distrubitions were determined as 7.6-46.2 cm and 2.09-766.0 g respectively. Age determinations based on otolith readings were found that the fishes distributed between 0+ and 5 age groups. The von Bertalanffy growth curve fitted to observed lengths-at-age provided parameters of L  =53.49 cm, 47.49 cm and 53.90 cm; k=0.385, 0.349 ve 0.377 year-1 ; t0=-0.078,-0.112 ve-0.045 year; and the growth performance index value (Φ) was also computed as 2.895, 3.042 ve 3.040 for males, females and all specimens, respectively

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

“…Moreover, 21.5 cm (females) and 25.7 cm (males) total length values were found to be length at first reproduction. These values differ from those reported by Akalın (2004) of 33.6 cm for females and 27.8 cm for males. While the difference for males is relatively small, there appears to be a considerable discrepancy in the length of first reproduction for females between the two studies.…”

“…We determined the age range of the samples was 1–5 years old. This agrees with Akalın (2004), who reported individuals from 0–5 years old. Garcia-Rodriguez & Esteban (2002) mentioned a high correlation between the rings counted in the otoliths and the length of the individual in cm.…”

“…Our data indicated that females dominated the stock in terms of number. Similarly, Akalın (2004) reported the female to male ratio as 1:0.31 from Edremit Bay, North Aegean Sea. Length–weight relationship of the stock led us to conclude there was positive allometric growth for both sexes separately and combined.…”

“…Moreover, previous histological investigation of ovaries showed that European hake exhibits indeterminate fecundity and spawns year-round with peak spawning occurring in January–March (Murua & Motos, 2006). Likewise, Akalın (2004) stated that reproductive activity of European hake occurred throughout the year with peak reproduction from December to March in Edremit Bay. Reproductive period of the species was given in January–June for Mediterranean and February–May for Bay of Biscay by Cohen et al (1990).…”

“…Growth of European hake is included in many scientific papers (Alegria & Jukic, 1990; Erzini, 1991; Campillo, 1992; Abella et al , 1995; Aldebert & Recasens, 1995; Alemany & Oliver, 1995; D'Onghia et al , 1995; Stergiou et al , 1997; Bouaziz et al , 1998; Uçkun et al , 2000; Zoubi, 2001; Garcia-Rodriquez & Esteban, 2002; Pineiro & Sainza, 2003; Randall, 2003; Mellon-Duval et al , 2010). Reproduction of the species was a focus of many researchers (Cohen et al , 1990; Muus & Nielsen, 1999; Akalın, 2004; Murua & Motos, 2006; Khoufi et al , 2014). Feeding habits of European hake were reported by Carpentieri et al (2005), Cartes et al (2009) and Philips (2012).…”