MORPHOMETRY, GROWTH AND MORTALITY-RATE OF GROUPERS, EPHINEPHELUS-MARGINATUS (SERRANIDAE), ALONG THE EASTERN COASTS OF ALGERIA

The morphology of Epinephelus marginatus from algerian eastern coasts is characterized by morphometric parameters (standard length, head len gth, dorsal fin length and eye diameter). These biometric parameters a re linked to the total individual or head lengths by a relationship of the form y = ax(b). Only b value indicates that the diameter of the e ye presents a minorant allometry. The age of fishes is determined by t he method of retrocalculation and their growth by the Von Bertalanffy model (L(infinity) = 78.53 cm; K = 0.16; t(0) - 0.73). Their eviscerat e weight-total length relationship is Pe = 0,810.10(-2) Lt(3,14). The linear growth is rapid during the four first years, while the most str ong rates of ponderal growth are obtained from the fourth year. The in dex P indicates a best development of Epinephelus marginatus on algeri an coasts. The natural mortality (M = 0.16) and mortality by fishing ( F = 1.19) coefficients are relatively high. The rate of exploitation ( E = 0.88) indicates a dynamic imbalance.