Growth, mortality and exploitation rate of Priacanthus arenatus (Perciformes : Priacanthidae), in the trawl fisheries of northeast Venezuela

We analyzed growth, mortality and exploitation rate of Priacanhus arenatus, captured by the shrimp trawling fishery (1989-1996), in northeastern Venez uela. The growth coefficient (K) and the asymptotic length (L8) were estima ted by length-frequency data using the Battacharya method and other routine s of the FISAT program. Total mortality (Z) and exploitation (E) rates were obtained by length-converted catch curve analysis, based on length-frequen cy data, and the Berverton and Holt's yield per recruit model, respectively . The mean growth parameters L and K were estimated as 474.7 mm and 0.69 ye ar(-1), respectively. Mean total mortality was 4.03 and the exploitation ra te range was 0.70-0.80. Results indicated that the population is overexploi ted.