Otolith biometry of anchovy (engraulis encrasicolus) inhabiting Mersin Bay

In this research, the relationships between the fish length, weights and otolith length and widths of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) living in Mersin Bay were studied. Engraulis encrasicolus specimens were fished by commercial purse seiner boat between 2022- 2023 fishing season at depth of 80-85 m off the Tuzla coasts in Mersin Bay. A total of 83 (38 female and 45 male) Engraulis encrasicolus specimens were caught. Otolith lengths (OL), Otolith breadths (OB) and Otolith weights (OW) of each fish individual were measured nearest 0,001 mm and 0,0001g respectively. Minimum and maximum total lenght and body mass of captured fishes were determined as 10.2-12.6 cm and 6.46-14.52 g for females and 10.2-14.1 cm and 7.11-20.33 g for males. According to the regression analysis results, a positive high level relationship between the total fish length- otolith length, and a positive moderate level relationships between the total fish length- otolith weight, otolith width, and fish weight- otolith length, otolith weight and otolith breadth were found.