Abstract

International Journal of Agricultural Policy and Research Vol.1 (1), pp.001-010,
March 2013 Available online at http://www.journalissues.org/IJAPR/
ISSN 2350-1561 © 2014 Journal Issues Article ID JPR03, 10 pages

Original Research Paper

Recruitment, mortality and exploitation rates estimate and stock assessment of Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758 Mugilidea) in the estuary of the Senegal River

SARR Serigne Modou¹, *KABRE Tinkoudgou Jean-André¹ and CECCHI Philippe²

¹Laboratoire de Recherche et de Formation en Pêche et Faune (LaRFPF/ IDR), Université de Bobo-Dioulasso, BP. 1091 Bobo 01, Burkina Faso.
²Institut de Recherche et Développement (France).

*Corresponding Author E-mail: ankab226@yahoo.fr
Tel:+ 22620973372

Accepted February 20, 2013

Abstract

The overfishing is the central problem of the Mugil cephalus fisheries in the estuary of the Senegal River. This species lives in the sea during its adult stage but returns in the Senegal River to reproduce and to spend its larval and juvenile stages. This study is aimed to pinpoint the state of exploitation dynamic and to assess the M. cephalus stock. The FISAT II software was used to perform the estimate of recruitment, mortality and exploitation rates. Meanwhile, a virtual population analysis using VIT4 software estimated yield per recruit (Y/R). The analysis yielded exploitation rates E of 0.44 and 0.23 respectively for adult fish and juveniles; therefore the adult stock is overfished during the M. cephalus life stage in sea. In addition, natural mortality (M=1.20 year^‑1) and total mortality (Z=1.5 year^‑1) are remarkably high for fish mature age groups III, IV and V. However, in the river the maximum sustainable exploitation (0.50) is not exceeded for juveniles age groups 0+, I and II. In conclusion, management policies should be introduced to safeguard the M. cephalus fishery in the estuary of the Senegal River.

Key words: Mugil cephalus, mortality, exploitation, recruitment, stock assessment, Senegal River.

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