A preliminary study on the growth of the Common hake (Merluccius merluccius L., 1758) in Izmir Bay, Aegean Sea

Abstract

      The present work is aimed at determining the growth parameters of the common hake, Merluccius merluccius, that is one of the most important commercial fish species in Izmir Bay (Aegean Sea). A total of 336 hake specimens were caught seasonally by various trawl surveys carried out between April 1994 and March 1995. Total length and total weight of the specimens ranged from 13.6 to 43.5 cm and from 16.0 to 662.0 g, respectively. Maximum age group determined was VII, and ratio between females and males was 1: 0.36. The most specimen took part in age group IV. The computed von BERTALANFFY's growth equations in length and weight were L_t=81.70 [1-e^{-0.0845(t+1.155)}] and W_t=5773.29 (1-e^{-0.0845(t+1.155)})^3.194, respectively, for both sexes combined.