An approach to estimate the natural mortality rate in fish stocks

L.A. Cubillos

Naga, 2003, vol. 26, issue 1, 17-19

Abstract: A simple approach is introduced to estimate the natural mortality rate (M) of fish stocks. The approach is based on the age at maximum cohort biomass, or critical length (L*) concept. The ratio of the critical length to the asymptotic length ( = L*/L8) is relatively constant in 141 fish stocks at 0.62 (CV = 21.4 per cent) and the relationship M = 3K(1- )/ is derived and could be used to estimate M, where K is the growth coefficient of the von Bertalanffy growth function. Average values of are given for the various Families of fish in order to estimate M based on closely related species.

Keywords: Mortality; Stocks; Life history; Marine fish (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2003
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wfi:wfnaga:36030

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