Population characteristics of areolate grouper epinephelus areolatus (Forsskål 1775) from terengganu waters, malaysia

Abstract

Growth parameters of areolate grouper, Epinephelus areolatus (Forsskål 1775) in Terengganu waters were determined by using length frequency analysis. A total of 606 samples from two main fish landing ports in Terengganu were collected monthly between February 2014 and January 2015. Growth parameters were estimated by using FISAT II (FAO-ICLARM stock assessment tools) computer software package, which includes a direct fit of length frequency data by ELEFAN I method. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters for E. areolatus from Pulau Kambing fish landing port were L∞ = 50.40 cm and K = 0.36 y-1 meanwhile samples from Kuala Dungun were L∞ = 48.30 cm and K = 0.32 y-1. The length weight relationship for E. areolatus from Pulau Kambing was y = 2.9546x – 4.1931, and from Kuala Dungun fish landing port was y = 2.9438x – 4.1492. The present research findings are important for future studies and relevant for the stock assessment and fishery management of E. areolatus in Terengganu waters.