Age, Growth and Mortality of Surf Clam Mactra stultorum in the Gulf of Gabes, TunisiaDerbali, Abdelkarim (Avtor) Ben Mohamed, Nour (Avtor) Haouas-Gharsallah, Ines (Avtor) Mactra stultorumpopulation dynamicgrowthmortality rateagesouth TunisiaThe population dynamics of surf clam Mactra stultorum from the Gulf of Gabes was investigated monthly for the first time during a one-year period (2017), including population age, growth, and mortality rate. The allometric relationships between body sizes and length were determined; the shell length/total weight indicated a negative allometric growth relationship that is expressed as TW = 0.002 SL2.314. The length frequency data were analyzed for estimation of population parameters. The asymptotic length (L∞) was found to be 46.80 mm, the growth co-efficient (K) 0.71 yr-1. The longevity (Tmax) and the growth performance indices (φ’) were 5.42 yr-1 and 3.19, respectively. Total mortality (Z) and natural mortality (M) were estimated by length-converted catch curve at 0.63 yr-1. The findings of the current study suggest that the most intensive growth occurred during the first two years. The data presented herein are essential for an appropriate fisheries management and conservation of surf clams.20232026-07-09 21:25:52Delo ni kategorizirano30999UDK: 5DOI: 10.19233/ASHN.2023.16slImetniki avtorskih pravic na prispevkih so avtorji. CC BY-NC 4.0