Biology and fishery of the pig-face bream, Lethrinus lentian Lacepede III. Age and growth

Abstract

Determination of age and growth of a fish is an important aspect of any fishery research programme. The knowledge of the age structure of the population from year to year helps to furnish the mortality and survival rates of various year classes and also the success of yearly recruitments. Analysis of size and age data of the fish gives estimates of growth rate of the fish and also explains the role played by various year-classes in the fluctuation of the fishery. As is well known, the rational exploitation of the fishery depends bn adequate information of these vital rates for which accurate assessment of age is .essential.