Growth parameters and stock assessment of Carangoides bajad Forsskal, 1775 (Carangiformes: Carangidae) in Jeddah fisheries

ABSTRACT

The stock status of Carangoides bajad in Jeddah fisheries was assessed by estimating the growth parameters, mortality rates and size at first capture (L_c), then applying the results to estimate the yield and biomass per recruit. The length-weight relationship could be described by the power equation: W = 0.011 L^3.019 (R² = 0.99) for combined sexes. Von Bertalanffy Growth Parameters L_∞, K and t₀ were estimated to be 71.53 cm, 0.224 year ⁻¹, and −0.52 year, respectively. The total, natural, fishing mortality coefficients and exploitation were calculated to be 0.72 year ⁻¹, 0.337 year ⁻¹, 0.383 year ⁻¹, and 0.53 year ⁻¹, respectively. Beverton and Holt (1957) model was used to estimate the yield and biomass per recruit at F_cur and L_c and found to be Y/R = 291 g and B/R = 759 g. Compared with the two biological reference points F_max = 0.56 year ⁻¹ and F_0.1 = 0.346 year ⁻¹, the F_cur value was very close to the F_0.1 value required to get the optimum Y/R. We recommend avoiding any increase in F_cur, and increasing L_c to be 38 centimetres to increase the B/R from 759 g to 793 g, which would increase the probability of sustaining sufficient recruitment to the fishery of C. bajad in Jeddah fisheries.

KEYWORDS:

• Carangoides bajad
• age determination
• growth parameters
• yield and biomass per recruit
• Jeddah fisheries

Acknowledgements

This project was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR), at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, under grant number G: 322-150-1438. The authors, therefore, acknowledge with thanks DSR for technical and financial support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This project was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, under grant number G: 322-150-1438.