Growth and reproductive characteristics of the bluefish pomatomus saltatrix (linnaeus, 1766) in the marmara sea

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the growth and reproductive characteristics of bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766) in Marmara Sea. A total 1023 samples, collected monthly from commercial fishermen between January and December 2014, was investigated. Total length distribution of the samples varied between 12,3-47,3 cm. The length-weight relation of all sample individuals is calculated as W = 0,0107L(2,9574). It was determined that the growth pattern was isometric (b = 3, P > 0,05) by the constructed t-test. Using the age-length values, the growth equation of von Bertalanffy was calculated as L-t = 48,7[1-e(-0,247)((t+ 1,677))]. Growth performance index (phi) was computed as 2,757 for all specimens. The monthly values of gonad somatic index (GSI) of females indicated that spawning occurred mainly between May and August with a peak in July.