Dynamics of populations of Elagatis bipinnulata (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824) debarked by artisan maritime fishing in Côte d'ivoire

Abstract

In this study, linear growth and population parameters such as mortality, recruitment, capture probability, optimal capture size (LOPT) and relative yield in Elagatis bipinnulata from the Gulf of Guinea were determined from January 2016 to December 2017. The values of the asymptotic length (L∞), growth rate (K) and age that the fish had are 96.60 cm, 0.49 year-1 and -0.62 respectively. Fishing mortality (0, 65 an-1) is lower than natural mortality (0, 79 an-1). The current level of exploitation observed (E = 0.45) is below the standard set (E = 0.5). The first capture observed in these species (39.74 cm) is less than the first sexual maturity size (61.23 cm). This species is therefore under exploited. This situation indicates that the majority of individuals of these species do not have the opportunity to reproduce at least once before being captured. The exploitation rates observed in E. bipinnulata indicate an under exploited in Ivorian waters.