Stock assessment of the bonyfishes in Mazandaran (2003-2004)

Abstract

Mullet and other bony fishes are caught by beach seine in Iranian waters in Golestan, Mazandaran and Guilan provinces. In this investigation which had conducted in commercial regions during 2003-2004, we estimated catch and CPUE, species composition, length, weight, age of two species of mullet and Salmo trutta caspius; von Bertalanffy growth parameters, mortality, biomass and MSY of Liza aurata. The total recorded catch of mullet was 3870 mt and L. auratapre dominated (98.5% of total catch of mullet). CPUE of two species of mullet; L. aurata and L. salienswere 69.6 and 1.1 mt purse seine, respectively. The catch of Salmo trutta caspius was negligible (about 3.6 mt). Biomass and MSY (maximum sustainable yield) of L. aurata were estimated to be 11019.8 and 3322.6 mt, respectively.