FISHERY AND STOCK ESTIMATES OF TALANG QUEENFISH, Scomberoides commersonnianus (FAM: CARANGIDAE) FROM THE ARABIAN SEA COAST OF PAKISTAN

Analysis of length weight, condition, growth, mortality and exploitation provided an insight into one of the most important fishery stocks of the Talang queenfish, Scomberoides commersonnianus landed at Karachi fish Harbour, sampled from July 2012 to June 2013. A sum of 1003 individuals was used to estimate population parameters of length weight relationships power b = 2.88, a = 0.011 R^2 0.95 indicated slightly negative allometric relationship between the parameters and lengthlength relationships showed strong linearity, interpreted from the R^2 0.90. The growth was estimated with the von Bertalanffy equation L∞ = 136.5 cm, K = 0.25 year^-1 and t0 = -0.139 year. The natural (M = 0.40 year^-1), fishing (F = 0.76 year^- 1) and total (Z = 1.17 year^-1, CI95% 0.34–1.21) mortalities were estimated using length converted catch curve. The annual exploitation rate, U was estimated to be 0.45 year^-1. The B′/R and Y′/R estimated 0.63 and 0.04 respectively. Hence, annual instantaneous fishing mortality rate of 0.76 year^-1 was by far in excess of the precautionary target and biological reference points (Fopt = 0.38 year^-1 and Flimit = 0.50 year^-1) indicating that the resource was over-exploited, therefore reducing fishing pressure would be better for the sustainable exploitation of this species. Our results would also provide scientific support for underlying stock assessment characteristics of an important fish species.