Population dynamics and biological characteristics of kilka species (Pisces: Clupeonidae) in southeastern coast of the Caspian Sea

  The aim of the present study was to investigate the age structure, length-weight relationship, sex ratio, sexual maturity stages, growth parameters, natural and fishing mortality coefficients of three species of kilka including common, anchovy and bigeye kilka. The fork length–weight relationship of common, anchovy and bigeye kilka were calculated as W=۰.۰۰۰۱۵۳ FL۲.۳۷, W=۰.۰۰۰۳۴۹ FL۲.۱۸ and W=۰.۰۰۱۶۰ FL۲.۹۷, respectively. The parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth curve for length were L∞ = ۱۴۳.۵ mm, K = ۰.۳۰ yr-۱ and t۰ = -۱.۰۲ yr for common kilka L∞ = ۱۵۱.۹ mm, K = ۰.۲۸ yr-۱ and t۰ = -۱.۱۲ yr for anchovy kilka L∞ = ۱۴۸.۶ mm, K = ۰.۴۶ yr-۱ and t۰ = -۰.۱۸ yr for bigeye kilka. The instantaneous coefficient of natural mortality of common, anchovy and bigeye kilka were estimated as ۰.۶۷۱, ۰.۶۳۳ and ۰.۸۸۱ yr-۱, respectively. The current exploitation rates of three species were estimated as ۰.۵۵, ۰.۴۱ and ۰.۲۶, respectively. The results suggest that common kilka stock is under over-fishing now.

Keywords:

Clupeonella cultriventris caspia , C. engrauliformis , C. grimmi , Growth , Sexual maturity stage