Otolith biometry of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) inhabiting Northeastern Mediterranean

In this research, the relationships between the fish length and weights and otolith dimensions of magre (Argyrosomus regius Asso, 1801) inhabiting Mersin Bay were examined. Argyrosomus regius individuals were captured by commercial trawling boat between December 2021- September 2022 at depth of 30-35m from Tuzla coasts in the Mersin Bay. A total of 185 (93 female and 92 male) Argyrosomus regius individuals were collected. Otolith lengths (OL), breadths (OB) and weights (OW) of each fish specimen were measured nearest 0,001 mm and 0,0001g respectively. Maximum and minimum- total lenght and body mass of caught fishes were determined as 16.7-30.8cm and 44.9-295.2 g for females and 16.5-30 cm and 43.6-271.1g for males. According to the regression analysis values a positive moderate linear relationship between the total fish length-otolith weight, otolith length, otolith width, and fish weight- otolith length, otolith weight and otolith width was determined. Keywords: Otolith biometry, Meagre, Argyrosomus regius, Mersin Bay, Eastern Mediterranean