Abstract
Analysis of length weight, condition, growth, mortality and exploitation provided an insight into one of the most important
fishery stocks of the Talang queenfish, Scomberoides commersonnianus landed at Karachi fish Harbour, sampled from July
2012 to June 2013. A sum of 1003 individuals was used to estimate population parameters of length weight relationships
power b = 2.88, a = 0.011 R
2
> 0.95 indicated slightly negative allometric relationship between the parameters and lengthlength relationships showed strong linearity, interpreted from the R
2
> 0.90. The growth was estimated with the von
Bertalanffy equation L∞ = 136.5 cm, K = 0.25 year-1 and t0 = -0.139 year. The natural (M = 0.40 year-1), fishing (F = 0.76
year-1) and total (Z = 1.17 year-1, CI95% 0.34–1.21) mortalities were estimated using length converted catch curve. The annual
exploitation rate, U was estimated to be 0.45 year-1. The B′/R and Y′/R estimated 0.63 and 0.04 respectively. Hence, annual
instantaneous fishing mortality rate of 0.76 year-1 was by far in excess of the precautionary target and biological reference
points (Fopt = 0.38 year-1 and Flimit = 0.50 year-1) indicating that the resource was over-exploited, therefore reducing fishing
pressure would be better for the sustainable exploitation of this species. Our results would also provide scientific support for
underlying stock assessment characteristics of an important fish species.
