Preliminary studies on the population dynamics of African Sicklefish (Drepane africana, Osorio 1892) from the coast of Ghana

Samuel Amponsah

doi:10.3153/AR25005

EN TR

Preliminary studies on the population dynamics of African Sicklefish (Drepane africana, Osorio 1892) from the coast of Ghana

Abstract

Individuals of African Sicklefish (Drepane africana), one of Ghana's most commercially and significant marine fish species, are declining in abundance. Therefore, the study aimed to provide the first estimates of growth and mortality parameters for sustainable management of the species from the coast of Ghana. The total length (TL) of 515 individuals of African Sicklefish sampled from June 2020 to July 2021 was measured and analyzed using the FISAT II software to determine the growth, mortality, and exploitation rates. The growth equation was Lt = 27.3 (1 - exp 1.80 (t + 0.09)). The size at first capture (Lc) and maturity (Lm) were 12.3 cm and 16.3 cm TL, respectively. The total mortality rate (Z), natural mortality rate (M), and fishing mortality rate (F) were 7.34, 2.73, and 4.61 per year, respectively. The exploitation rate was assessed at 0.63, indicating that the stock is currently overexploited. The fishery risks collapsing if sustainable management measures are not implemented since the maximum sustainable yield (Emax) slightly exceeds the current exploitation rate.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study does not require ethics committee permission or any special permission.

Thanks

Sincere gratitude goes to the fisher-folks along the coast of Ghana who assisted immensely during the fieldwork.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Aquaculture and Fisheries Stock Assessment

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Samuel Amponsah ^*
0000-0001-5559-3139
Ghana

Early Pub Date

December 14, 2024

Publication Date

January 7, 2025

Submission Date

June 8, 2024

Acceptance Date

August 19, 2024

Published in Issue

Year 1970 Volume: 8 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3153/AR25005

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA73GT54EB

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Amponsah, S. (2025). Preliminary studies on the population dynamics of African Sicklefish (Drepane africana, Osorio 1892) from the coast of Ghana. Aquatic Research, 8(1), 52-59. https://doi.org/10.3153/AR25005

Preliminary studies on the population dynamics of African Sicklefish (Drepane africana, Osorio 1892) from the coast of Ghana

Preliminary studies on the population dynamics of African Sicklefish (Drepane africana, Osorio 1892) from the coast of Ghana

Abstract

Keywords

Preliminary studies on the population dynamics of African Sicklefish (Drepane africana, Osorio 1892) from the coast of Ghana

Öz

Anahtar Kelimeler

Ethical Statement

Thanks

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Early Pub Date

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

Cite