Contribution to the knowledge of Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda Bloch, 1793) from Bulgarian Black Sea coast

Abstract

Some aspects concerning the growth and population dynamics of Sarda sarda were studied. Specimens were collected from the Bulgaria Black Sea coast between September 2011 and November 2011 during the migration movements of Atlantic bonito. A total of 474 specimens (176 males and 298 females) were investigated. Mean ± S.E. values for total length and body weight are (36.4±1.01; 511±71.42) for females and (34.6±0.89; 506.48±50.48) for males respectively. The values of allometric coefficient b were larger than 3. Estimates of the Von Bertalanffy growth parameters were L∞ = 84.25 cm and k = 0.38 year–1 in females, and L∞ = 81.63 cm and k = 0.49 year–1 in males. The growth performance index (o`) was found to be 3.43 and 3.51 for females and males, respectively.