Turkish Journal Of Fisheries And Aquatic Sciences, vol.4, no.2, pp.59-64, 2004 (SCI-Expanded)
This study was carried out to determine the growth characteristics, mortality and the exploitation rates of the silverbelly (Leiognathus klunzingeri). The von Bertalanffy growth constants for this species were Lf=10.28 cm, K=0.29 year-1, t0=-0.42 year, Wf=11.75 g, and it was estimated that the greatest growth occurred between age groups I and II for length and between groups III and IV for weight. The total mortality rate was estimated to be Z=0.9609, its components being M=0.6460 and F=0.314. In addition to this, it was found that the exploitation rate on the silverbellies distributed along the Yumurtalık Bight (Northeastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey) was insufficient.
Key Words: Silverbelly Leiognathus klunzingeri, von Bertalanffy growth constants, mortality rates, exploitation rate.