Exploring Life History Traits and Catch Composition of Red Mullet (Mullus barbatus, L. 1758) in the Commercial Trawl Fisheries of the Eastern Aegean Sea
2025
Ilker Aydin | Alexandros Theocharis | Dimitris Klaoudatos
The red mullet (Mullus barbatus, Linnaeus 1758) is a commercially vital demersal species in the Eastern Aegean Sea, yet it is subjected to high fishing pressure. This study assesses the population dynamics, growth, and exploitation status of M. barbatus based on 64 commercial trawl surveys conducted between 2022 and 2024 in the Lesvos&ndash:Ayvalik region. Length-frequency data identified eight age classes, with dominant cohorts at ages 3 (26.4%) and 5 (25%). The von Bertalanffy growth model estimated an asymptotic length (L&infin:) of 27.9 cm and growth coefficient (k = 0.21 year&minus:1), indicating a slow growth rate. The estimated fishing mortality (F = 0.74) exceeded natural mortality (M = 0.44), producing an exploitation rate (E = 0.63) that indicates overfishing. The length at 50% capture (LC50 = 10.92 cm) was substantially below the optimal biomass length (Le = 16.6 cm), highlighting gear selectivity issues. Net benefit analysis revealed optimal fishing at 50&ndash:85 m depth and during December. These findings underscore the urgent need for improved management, including gear modifications, seasonal closures, and reduced effort, to restore sustainability and protect juvenile fish in the Eastern Aegean trawl fishery.
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