Population Parameters of Whiting (Merlangius merlangus euxinus L., 1758) in the South-Eastern Black Sea

Whiting (Merlangius merlangus euxinus L., 1758) is one of the most commonly distributed species in the entire Black Sea coastal waters of Turkey. Population parameters of whiting were studied using 1884 specimens obtained off the coasts of Sinop, Samsun, Giresun and Ordu provinces (Turkey) in 2009-2010. Average annual length and weight increment was 2.41 cm (17.45%) and 14.99 g (75.47%), respectively. Maximum ages were determined as 5 yrs for females and 4 yrs for males. Mean lengths and weights for male and females were calculated as 14.5 plus or minus 0.06 cm; 22.60 plus or minus 0.274 g and 15.1 plus or minus 0.05 cm; 25.74 plus or minus 0.278 g, respectively. Average length and weight for both sexes were calculated as 14.9 plus or minus 0.04 cm and 24.42 plus or minus 0.201 g. Although females were observed as bigger in size in comparison to males, there was no gender dependent statistical difference in length-weight relationship in which W=0.0064 L super(3.0441) represents the whole population. Von Bertalanffy growth equation was derived as L sub(t)=38.16 (1-e super(-0,124(t+2,583))) for females, L sub(t)=26.26 (1-e super(-0,203(t+2,505))) for males and L sub(t)=33.56 (1-e super(-0,141(t+2,654))) for both sexes. Instantaneous total mortality, natural mortality and fishing mortality rates were calculated as Z=1.68 yr super(-1), M=0.27 yr super(-1), and F=1.41 yr super(-1). Exploitation rate was E=0.84 yr super(-1).Original Abstract: Karadeniz'in Tuerkiye kiyilarinda yayilis goesteren mezgit stoklarinin bazi popuelasyon parametrelerini tespit etmek amaciyla yueruetuelen bu arastirmada, toplam 1884 adet baligin yas, boy, agirlik, cinsiyet kompozisyonlan, boy-agirlik iliskisi, kondisyon faktoerue, Von Bertalanffy bueyueme denklemi ve oeluem oranlari incelenmistir. Boyca ortalama yillik bueyueme orani 2,4 cm olarak bulunmustur. Disiler icin maksimum yas 5, erkekler icin 4 olarak bulunmustur. Ortalama boy ve agirlik disi bireyler icin 15,10 plus or minus 0,05 cm, 25,74 plus or minus 0,278 g, erkek bireyler icin 14,50 plus or minus 0,06 cm, 22,60 plus or minus 0,274 g ve tuem bireyler icin 14,85 plus or minus 0,04 cm, 24.42 plus or minus 0.201 g olarak belirlenmistir. Genel olarak disiler erkeklerden daha bueyuek boy ve agirlik degerine sahiptir. Boy-agirlik iliskisi disi ve erkelerde benzerlik goestermektedir. Genel olarak populasyonda boy agirlik iliskisi W = 0.0064 L super(3.0441) olarak hesaplanmistir. Von Bertalanffy bueyueme denklemi disi bireyler icin