Growth and population parameters of the spade nose shark, Scoliodon laticaudus from Calicut coast

Abstract

von Bertalanffy's growth equation was used to describe growth of Scoliodon laticaudus Muller and Henle. The L , K and t^ values estimated were 715 mm, 0.3580, and 0.590 for females and 676 mm° 0.4046 and 0.590 for males respectively. Females grow larger and live longer than males. The overall sex ratio was 1 : 1.31, the females predominating, more so from 551-600 mm size group onwards. The average estimated annual catch was 14.4 tonnes at the existing F value of 0.73.