Growth parameters of Red Mullet (Mullus barbatus L.,1758) and seasonal cod-end selectivity of traditional bottom trawl nets in Izmir Bay (Aegean Sea)

Abstract

      Red mullet is one of the most important species due to its highly economical value in Turkish fishery. The individuals obtained from Izmir Bay in the study are between I-III age year classes and fork lengths are 10.3, 13.4 and 15.4 cm by age, respectively. Weight - length relationship of the male+female specimen was W=0.0071L^3.29. Von BERTALANFFY growth parameters were determined as L_∞=19.036, W=115.1, K=0.438, t_o= -0.777. The TL₅₀ retention length of commercial bottom trawl net having 44 mm mesh size were obtained totally as 12.98 cm for red mullet and the net was found as unselective.