The population dynamics (growth, recruitment, mortality) of the West African Croaker Pseudotolithus elongatus in the Cross River estuary (Nigeria) was studied using 13 consecutive monthly (May 1986 to May 1987) length frequency samples and the ELEFAN software. The seasonally oscillating von Bertalanffy growth parameters were L∞ = 60 cm, K = 0.38 y-l, C = 0.4, and WP = 0.7. Total mortality rate Z estimated by a length converted catch curve was estimated to be 1.42 y-l, while natural mortality rate M was 0.79 y-l, giving the fishing mortality F as 0.63 y-l. Recruitment is year-round with two peaks in a year, one major and one minor apparently occurring during rainy and dry seasons, respectively. |