Research Information System
SU URUNLERI DERGISI, vol.19, pp.303-309, 2002 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Vertical Distribution and ratio of Whiting fish (Merlangius merlangus euxinus Nordmann, 1840) in the total catch on the Eastern Black Sea Coasts. In this study, seasonal vertical distribution, quantity at unit area and ratio of whiting fish in the total catch were examined at four different depths (15. 35, 60 and 80 m) on the Eastern Black Sea coasts of Turkey. Quantity of total catch gathered at 15 m depth was 894.7 kg, but no whiting was found in this quantity in any month of the year. Whiting was found in the total catch (4089.5 kg) in seven months of the year and 16% of total catch was constituted by whiting at 35 m depth. The density of whiting was found as 0.0025±0.00083 kgm-2 at the same depth. Total catch quantity was 1981.4 kg while the quantity was constituted as 65.72% by whiting at 60 m depth. Whiting density was found as 0.0042±0.00072 kgm-2 at this depth. Total catch quantity gathered at 80 m depth was 3491.0 kg and %71.8 of total cath was constituted by whiting. Its density was determined as 0.0087±0.0038 kgm-2 at the same depth. However, the average lengths at 35, 60 and 80 m were determined as 13.30±0.209, 14.60±0.322 and 14.31±0.238 cm respectively. The results showed, the difference among the whiting ratios which in total catch quantity at different depth was significant (p<0.05) on the other hand, the difference among the average lengths was regarded no significant (p>0.05). Key Words: Whiting (Merlangius merlangus euxinus Nordmann, 1840), Eastern Black Sea Coast, Vertical distribution, Catch density