SOME BIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF THE THIN-LIPPED MULLET L I Z A R A M A D A (PISCES, MUGILIDAE) IN THE NERETVA R I V E R D E LTA (EASTERN A D R I ATIC, CROATIAN COAST)

Aspects concerning age, growth, reproduction and recruitment were analysed in the thin-lipped mullet, Liza ramada, collected in Neretva River delta estuary (East A d r i a t i c , Croatian coastline). The study was based on the collection of a total of 362 individuals on a monthly basis. The von Bertalanffy growth curve parameters were estimated: T L = 59.96 cm, K = 0.269 year - 1 , t0 = -0.455. Natural mortality was estimated at 0.32 year - 1 . Total mortality (Z) was estimated at 0.70 year - 1 (range 0.55-0.85 year - 1 ). Fishing mortality was estimated at 0.38 year-1 and the exploitation ratio at E = 0.54. The gonado-somatic index profile shows a sin- gle peak during the year in October. The sex ratio profile shows skewed sex ratios throughout the year except the period prior to reproduction peak. This L. ramada population is suggested to be in good status. MUGILIDAE