Stock Assessment of Greenback mullet, Liza subviridis in East Hammar Marsh, Iraq

Abstract

The stock of of Greenback mullet, Liza subviridis (Valenciennes, 1836) in East Hammar marsh, south Iraq was studied during the period from January 2009 to May 2010 using FiSAT program. A total of 4470 specimens were collected by several fishing gears and formed 2.9% of the total number of fish. Total lengths of fish ranged from 8.7 to 29.2cm. The length-weight relationship was W= 0.0145 x L2.9337. Growth and mortality parameters estimated were: L∞= 33.66 cm, K= 1.27, Z= 1.20, M= 0.69 and F= 0.51. Current exploitation rate (1.43) of L. subviridis was lower than the optimum level. Two peaks of unequal strength were obtained for the recruitment pattern of the species, the first was constituted 28.63% of the recruitment its peak occurred in April, while the second formed 71.37% with a peak in June. The maximum yield per recruitment could achieved at Emax= 0.59.