Age, growth and mortality of Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810 (Pisces: Atherinidae) in the Mesolongi and Etolikon lagoons (W. Greece)

Age, growth and mortality of Atherina boyeri (Risso, 1810) from the Mesolongi and Etolikon lagoons were studied. Age determinations based on scale readings show that the population has a 3-year life cycle. Annulus formation took place during February and March each year. A maximum total length of 103 mm was recorded for a 3-year old female. Atherina boyeri grows allometrically (b = 3.15) and relatively rapidly, achieved the 65.67% of the growth during the first year. The overall sex ratio of males: females was 1: 1.2, and it varies seasonally depending on the reproductive period. The total mortality rate was Z = 0.93/year and the natural mortality rate M = 0.41/year. The exploitation rate indicates that the population is slightly overexploited (E = 0.56).