Probability of capture of Mugil cephalus in Gopalpur creek, east coast of India

Abstract

In the present investigation, a total of 360 numbers of Mugil cephalus with a length range of 11.2 cm to 38.4cm and weight ranges 40.1 g to 540.6g were collected from the fishermen at Gopalpur creek during the period from August, 2023 to July, 2024. The total mortality, natural mortality and fishing mortality of Mugil cephalus were estimated as1.13/yr, 0.55/yr and 0.58/yr respectively. The value of Z/K is calculated as 2.40 indicate the stock was mortality dominated. The probability of capture of Mugil cephalus at the length of L25, L50 and L75 were estimated as 25.98cm, 28.67cm and 31.03 cm respectively during the sampling period. The size at first maturity of Mugil cephalus in the study area is 30.5 cm. The probability of capture (L50) is less than the size at first maturity. So it could be better to enhance the mesh size so as to facilitate the maturation of fishes.