Relationships between Fish Sizes and Otolith Sizes of Whiting (Merlangius merlangus Linnaeus, 1758) from the Western Black Sea

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the regressions between otolith sizes and shape indices vs. fish length, and weight of whiting, Merlangius merlangus (Linnaeus, 1758), from the BlackSea. Samples were collected randomly from commercial bottom trawlers between November 2017and January 2018 in the western Black Sea. No differences were found in otolith size and indices bymeans of otolith position while a distinct difference by sexes was detected. Strong relations withhigh descriptive coefficients were found between otolith sizes and weight and fish length andweight. However, the regression relationships between otolith shape indices and fish length andweight were defined as very weak. As a conclusion, it can be emphasized that the otolith sizes andweight of whiting can be used for the determination of the size and weight of the fish.