Exploitation and Mortalities of Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix L.) in the Sea of Marmara, Turkey

Özet

A total of 2813 bluefish from the Sea of Marmara were monthly collected from commercial coastal artisanal fisheries, purse seines, landing at Istanbul fish market between January 2003 and December 2004. The maximal catch length in the study samples was 45.3 cm and mean length was 16.9 cm ± 0.01 (8.4 – 45.3 cm). Total (Z), natural (M) and fishing (F) mortalities of bluefish from Marmara Sea were found as 0.60 year-1, 0.36 year-1and 0.96 year-1, respectively. The higher exploitation rate (E=0.62) and younger individuals from the landings are evidence of heavy fishing pressure on bluefish in the Sea of Marmara.