Growth Parameters and Mortality Rates Estimated for Seven Data-Deficient Fishes from the Azores Based on Length-Frequency Data

• Published in: Life
• Main Authors: Régis Santos, Ualerson Iran Peixoto, Wendell Medeiros-Leal, Ana Novoa-Pabon, Mário Pinho
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2022
• Subjects: demersal; commercial fish; data-limited; life history; size-based method; Northeast Atlantic; Science; Q
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/life12060778; https://doaj.org/article/f67e29dc4bd14c90897530e28fb09710

Given the scarcity of information suitable for stock assessments, the growth and mortality of seven exploited marine fishes in Azorean waters were estimated based on length-frequency data. The studied species were Trachurus picturatus , Sparisoma cretense , Scomber colias , Scorpaena scrofa , Serranus atricauda , Seriola spp. and Aphanopus carbo . The growth parameters L ∞ (cm), k (year −1 ) and ϕ’ estimated through the ELEFAN_GA_boot routine were set at 55.87, 0.08 and 2.39 for T. picturatus 55.03, 0.11 and 2.53 for S. cretense 55.93, 0.18 and 2.76 for S. colias 61.11, 0.11 and 2.61 for S. scrofa 52.10, 0.12 and 2.51 for S. atricauda 107.33, 0.12 and 3.18 for Seriola spp.; and 133.16, 0.09 and 3.19 for A. carbo respectively. The total mortality rate estimated using the length–converted catch curve method was 0.22, 0.35, 0.58, 0.32, 0.31, 0.39 and 0.22 year −1 the natural mortality included 0.15, 0.20, 0.30, 0.20, 0.21, 0.21 and 0.16 year −1 and fishing mortality rate 0.07, 0.15, 0.28, 0.12, 0.10, 0.18 and 0.06 year −1 , respectively, for the species mentioned. The relatively large sizes and slow growth with a low natural mortality rate indicate a high vulnerability to overfishing. Therefore, assessment and management initiatives are highly encouraged to ensure the sustainability of the resources.