Age and Growth of European Hake, Merluccius merluccius in the Sea of Marmara

Abstract

Within this study, the most important species European hake which constitutes 50% of the Sea of Marmara demersal fisheries, has been subjected to estimate age, growth characteristics and natural mortality. Bottom trawl hauls were carried out in 19 stations representing the entire Marmara Sea. Sea surveys were performed in different time periods from 2009 to 2011 (September 2009, December 2009, December 2010 and December 2011). A total of 274 sagittal otoliths (117 females, 75 males and 82 unidentified individuals) were obtained from 2009, 2010 and 2011. Sex ratio was calculated 1:1.5 males to females. Age composition was 0+ to 4+ years, most observed age group was 2+ both for female and male (37%). Growth parameters determined by von Bertalanffy equation were found as L∞= 57.51 cm K=0.27 y-1 and t0=-0.57 y-1. Natural mortality was estimated 0.41 y-1. Our results obtained from the Marmara Sea strongly support the fast growth hypothesis of M. merluccius. Growth rates clearly differ between males and females in this sea which shows hake growth depends on sex.

Keywords

• merluccius merluccius
• age
• growth parameters
• natural mortality
• the sea of marmara