Estimation of growth parameters and mortality rate of common carp (Cyprinus carpio, Linnaeus ۱۷۵۸) population in the southern Caspian Sea

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) represents one of the most economically important fish species in the Caspian Sea. In this study, growth and mortality parameters among population of common carp was investigated. Sampling was carried out weekly, using beach seine in the south of the Caspian Sea from October ۲۰۰۶ to September ۲۰۰۷. As a contribution to elaborating management programs for common carp, the age and growth of this species was calculated via scale, growth parameters and mortality rate by length frequency data obtained from commercial fishing and research beach seines. Ten age groups were recorded from ۱+ to ۱۰+ years old, being dominated by ۴ and ۵ year-old fish. The growth parameters based on scale reading data by length at age analysis were FL¥= ۷۱.۵۲cm and K = ۰.۱۶ per year for total population, FL¥= ۷۰.۵۴cm and K = ۰.۱۵ per year for males, and FL¥= ۷۲.۰۰ cm and K = ۰.۱۶ per year for females, whereas by length frequency analysis, these values were estimated as FL¥ equals ۷۲.۰, ۶۹.۳ and ۷۳.۰cm and K equals ۰.۱۸, ۰.۱۵ and ۰.۱۸ per year for total population, males and females, respectively. The total, natural and fishing mortality rates were ۰.۷۱, ۰.۲۹ and ۰.۴۲ per year, respectively.

Keywords:

Cyprinus carpio , Scale , Age structure , Population dynamics parameters , Caspian Sea