International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research

Authors
Théophile Aké Bédia, Coulibaly Bakari, Raphael N’doua Etilé, Paul Essetchi Kouamelan, Valentin N’douba

Abstract
Length monthly data composition of Ethmalosa fimbriata landed in Ebrié lagoon (Aghien-potou Sector, Côte d’Ivoire) was used to estimate growth and exploitation parameters of the stock. A total of 1932 individuals of E. fimbriata ranged from 4 cm to 25 cm were analyzed with FISAT software using the ELEFAN package. The asymptotic length (L∞), the growth rate constant (K) and the growth performance index, (Ø’) were estimated to be 26.00 cm, 0,66 year^-1 and 2.64 respectively. The theoretical age t₀ was estimated at -0.55 while longevity (t_max) was 4.54 year. Based on the growth parameters and using the catch curves procedures, the instantaneous total mortality coefficient (Z), the instantaneous natural mortality coefficient (M), the Instantaneous fishing mortality coefficient (F) and the exploitation rate (E) were 4.95 year^-1 ; 1.40 year^-1, 3.55 year^-1 and 0.72 respectively. The study shows value of fishing mortality (3.55 year^-1) superior than that of natural mortality (1.40 year^-1). E. fimbriata has an overexploitation statut in Ebrié Lagoon (Aghien-Potou sector) with an exploitation rate (E) of 0.72 close the allowable limit of exploitation (E_max = 0.74) and higher than E_0.5 (0.35).