Growth, Mortality, and Stock Status of the Smalltooth Emperor, Lethrinus microdon (Valenciennes, 1830), from the Gulf of Mannar (Indian Southeast Coast) Available to Purchase

Chandravanshi, S.; Jayakumar, N.; Durairaja, R.; Aanand, S.; Suresh, E.; Sudhan, C.; Kumar, M.K.; Sahu, A.; Debbarma, S., and Ramasre, J.R., 2025. Growth, mortality, and stock status of the smalltooth emperor, Lethrinus microdon (Valenciennes, 1830), from the Gulf of Mannar (Indian southeast coast).

The growth, mortality and stock status of Lethrinus microdon were investigated from January to December 2023. A total of 405 specimens was collected from three selected major fishing harbours of the Gulf of Mannar. In length-weight relationship, the slope values (b) were estimated at 2.54, negative allometric growth. The growth parameters, L∞ and K were estimated as 73.50 and 0.47 y⁻¹ respectively. The total instantaneous mortality (Z) was estimated at 0.51. The fishing mortality (F) and natural mortality (M) were estimated at 0.37 and 0.88 respectively. The recruitment pattern of the species expressed in the year peaked in June to September. Fishing pressure was higher among individuals measuring 35 to 45 cm in length. The exploitation ratio (E) and exploitation rate (U) were estimated at 0.72 and 0.28, respectively. For the relative yield per recruit analysis, the current level of exploitation significantly exceeds both E_max and E_0.5 (0.42 and 0.28). For effective management, the exploitation rate should be decreased from 0.72 to 0.28 to sustain the spawning stock biomass. The findings of this study can be applied to the conservation and sustainable management of L. microdon.