Population characteristics and growth of Spicara maena (Linnaeus, 1758) inhabiting in Babadillimani Bight (northeastern Mediterranean-Turkey)

Abstract

This study was carried out between May 1999 to April 2000 in Babadillimani Bight. A total of 1380 specimens were
trawled by monthly sampling and examined. It was found that age composition of Spicara maena (blotched picarel) varied
from I to IV and they were composed of 78.12% females and 21.88% males. The measured mean total length and weight
values for females, males and combined sexes were 9.68±2.36cm-11.42±8.61g, 13.64±1.40cm-29.20±9.54g and
10.55±2.74cm-15.31±11.48g respectively. In addition to this, the calculated length-weight relationships were
W=0.0075*L3.1397 for females, W=0.0093*L3.0654 for males and W=0.0076*L3.1374 for pooled data. The von Bertalanffy
growth parameters were estimated for combined sexes were: L∞=21.72cm, K=0.385year-1 and to=-0.135year. According to
monthly changes of Gonadosomatic Index and Fulton’s Condition Factor values spawning were occurred between March and
May.