STUDIES ON GROWTH AND STOCK ASSESSMENT OF SAURIDA TUMBIL (BLOCH, 1795) FROM RATNAGIRI COAST, INDIA.

Based on the data collected during March 2011 - February 2013 investigations have been carried out on the growth, mortality and stock assessment of Saurida tumbil from Ratnagiri coast, Maharashtra, India. The asymptotic length (L∞) and growth coefficient (K) were estimated at 601 mm and 0.61 yr^-1, respectively. Total, natural and fishing mortalities were 5.67, 1.28 and 4.39 yr^-1, respectively. Length at first capture was estimated at 215 mm. Both the exploitation rate (U) and exploitation ratio (E) were estimated as 0.76. As the Exploitation ratio (E) is slightly beyond the optimum level, there is a need to reduce sustainability of resource in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]