First Knowledge on Data Poor Stock: LWR and Condition Factor of a Recently Established Population of Atherina boyeri in Atikhisar Reservoir, Turkiye

Abstract

Fisheries management practices require reliable data for the assessment of data poor stocks. This paper reported the first knowledge on length-weight relationship (LWR) and condition factor of Atherina boyeri in Atikhisar Reservoir, Çanakkale, Türkiye. A total of 1103 individuals of which 132 were immature was captured in June 2021. The sex ratio male to female was 1:1.75. The relationship between weight (W) and total length (TL), standard length (SL), and fork length (FL) were estimated as W=9E-06TL2.9212, W=1E-05SL2.9082, and W=9E-06FL2.9495. A. boyeri exhibited a negative allometric growth. The mean of Fulton`s condition factor of A. boyeri population in Atikhisar Reservoir was determined as 0.619±0.061. The mean Fulton`s condition factor for female individuals were higher than the males` condition factor and the difference between sexes was statistically significant. The present study made available valuable information on the data poor stock by providing LWR and condition factor of A. boyeri in Atikhisar Reservoir, a new freshwater system for the very euryhaline amphidromous species. The findings of the present study will substantially contribute to the knowledge of the population dynamics of the commercially important species for fisheries managers and decision-makers to maintain sustainable population levels.