Stock assessment of small head hair tail Eupleurograrnmus muticus (Gray) (Pisces/Trichiuridae) from Mumbai coast

Abstract

Based on the data collected from New Ferry Wharf, Versova and Vasai in the years 1997-99, the age, growth, mortality and stock assessment of small head hair tail, Eupleurograrnmus muticus (Gray)is reported in the present communication. The growth parameters - asymptotic length (Lm) and growth coefficient (K) were estimated as 81 1 mm and 0.78 per year respectively. The average total, natural and fishing mortality coefficients were estimated as 4.36, 1.15 and 3.21 respectively. The yield isopleths diagram shows that cumetric fishing could be achieved at exploitation rate (E) of 0.68 and LC 1 Lm value of 0.68. The present E of 0.73 is well beyond the optimum E of 0.50. Thus some management measures should be taken to prevent depletion of this resource.