ASSESSMENT OF GROWTH AND MORTALITY PARAMETERS OF Alosa immaculata (Bennet, 1835) FROM THE DANUBE DELTA

The aim of this study is to calculate the growth and mortality rates of Alosa immaculata, an important species whose population is in decline. Sampling was realized every month, from March to June 2022 from Sulina Branch Mm 34-18. Each of the specimens that were captured was weighed and measured individually, with weights ranging from 150 to 450 grams and total lengths ranging from 25 to 39 centimeters. The ELEFAN program from FiSAT II was utilized to determine the parameters for the von Bertalanffy growth function, resulting in the values of Lao = 36.75 cm and k = 0.66 yr-1. Using the linear regression analysis, the length-weight ratios were predicted based on log-transformed data using the equation W = axLb. The mathematical relationship between the length and weight for the Pontic shad was: W=0.0904xLt 2.3198. The population of Pontic shad experienced high mortality rates, with a total mortality estimate at 1.83 and a natural mortality rate of 0.87. In addition, the calculated exploitation rate for the Pontic shad population exceeded the optimal value of 0.5, indicating slight overexploitation of the population.