Stock Assessment of Six Sciaenidae Species in the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh Water Using a Length-Based Bayesian Biomass (LBB) Method

Abstract

Six most abundant and commercially valuable croakers (Sciaenidae) stocks in the coastal water of Bangladesh were evaluated using a length-based Bayesian Biomass (LBB) approach. The ratios B/B₀ (current relative biomass) were smaller than the B_MSY/B₀ in five of the six stocks. For the six estimated populations, two (Otolithes ruber and Pterotolithus maculatus) are grossly overfished, one (Otolithoides pama) is overfished, two (Johnius belangerii and Panna heterolepis) are slightly overfished, and only donkey croaker (Pennahia anea) is in the healthy (B/B₀ > B_MSY/B₀) status. Furthermore, the optimal length at first capture (Lc_opt) was higher than the length at first capture (Lc) in four populations, indicating growth overfishing, suggesting that increasing mesh size would benefit the catch and biomass. Findings from the present study confirm the declining trend of fisheries resources, particularly the croaker species in the BoB, Bangladesh coastal water. Management strategies (such as effort control, choosing the appropriate mesh size, total allowable catch limit, identify and enhance protection of the feeding, breeding, and nursery ground, etc.) should be taken for the sustainable management and recovery of the country’s marine fishing resources, particularly the valuable croaker species.