Fishery and population dynamics of silverbellies off Visakhapatnam

The annual average catch of silverbellies was 453 t in small-mechanized boats operating off Visakhapatnam during 1990-2001. Silverbellies contributed 4.2 % to the total landings. Maximum landings were during April-June. Ten species of silverbellies were recorded of which Leiognathus bindus (51%) was the dominant species. The growth parameters, Lm and K for L bindus and Secutor insidiator were 148 mm & 0.88 yr-' and 140 mm & 0.96 yr-', respectively. Theestimated mortality rates, Z, M and F were 6.36, 1.97 and 4.39 for L bindus and 6.03, 2.12 and 3.91 for S. insidiator. The exploitation rates for the species were 0.69 and 0.65 respectively