Estimation of growth parameters of the Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias Gmelin, 1789) off Gallipoli Peninsula (Northern Aegean Sea, Turkey)

Abstract

This study was carried out to reveal the age and growth of the atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias Gmelin, 1789) in Gallipoli Peninsula (northern Aegean Sea, Turkey). The individuals of sampled S. colias from commercial fishmongers randomly each month were taken during the period January 2016-December 2016. A total of 348 otoliths were aged successfully. The total length and weight of aged specimens ranged from 16.0 to 28.0 cm and from 31.72 to 222.68 g, with a mean of 22.0 cm and 101.23 g, respectively. The length-weight relationship was estimated as W = 0.0060TL^3.20 (R² = 0.97). The von Bertalanffy growth equations were computed to be ?_∞ = 32.0 cm, k = 0.30 year^-1, ?₀ = -1.72 year for all samples. The growth performance index (?′) was found as 2.49. The present study provides the first information on the growth parameters of the species so as to define the current state Scomber colias population for Gallipoli Peninsula (northern Aegean Sea, Turkey).