Growth and exploitation of Salema Sarpa salpa (Linnaeus, 1758) (Sparidae) in the North Aegean Sea, Türkiye

Salema, Sarpa salpa (Linnaeus, 1758), is a herbivorous fish species of the family Sparidae. It is an important predator of benthic algae, especially seagrass Posidonia oceanica. Due to excessive herbivorous behaviour, ecological importance becomes more significant than economical value. Thus, the aim of this study was to contribute scientific knowledge of Salema stock distributed around North Aegean Sea, Turkey with reveal age structure, growth, mortality, and exploitation rates. For this purpose, a total of 412 specimens, varied between 10.2 cm and 38.0 cm TL in length were obtained by commercial gill net fisheries monthly. The length-weight relationship (LWRs) was calculated as W=0.01898*TL2.883 (r2=0.97), and growth type was determined as negative allometric in all sexes. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were calculated as L?=41.6 cm, K=0.21 y-1, and t0=-1.50 y, and the total mortality (Z), natural mortality (M), fishing mortality (F), and exploitation rate (E) were calculated as 2.04, 0.44, 0.81, and 0.65, respectively. The fishing mortality optimum reference point (Fopt), fishing mortality limit reference point (Flim), optimum exploitation rate (Eopt) and the length where the maximum yield can be obtained (Lopt) were calculated as Fopt=1.02, Flim=1.36, Eopt=0.44, and Lopt=28.6, respectively.