Growth and population of Perna viridis in raft culture, area in Muar coastal water of Malaysia

Abstract

Growth and population of Perna viridis on mussel raft culture in Muar coastal waters were studied from August 2007 until July 2008. Asymptotic length (L∞), growth coefficient (K), natural mortality rates (M), fishing mortality rate (F), total mortality rate (Z), exploitation level (E) and maximum exploitation level (Emax) were calculated using FiSAT software to estimate the population status. From this study, asymptotic length (L∞) was 120.75mm and growth coefficient (K) was estimated at 0.66/year. Total mortality (Z) for Perna viridis was 1.83/year, while natural mortality (M) and fishing mortality (F) were 0.94 and 0.89/year respectively. During this study period, the Perna viridis growth performance index was (φ′) 3.98 and the exponent “b” of the length-weight relationship was 2.39. Exploitation level (E) of Perna viridis was 0.49 while the maximum allowable limit of exploitation (Emax) was 0.42. Higher exploitation level than maximum exploitation level indicates that the Perna viridis in this area was over-exploited.