Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 August 2016
For the management of mollusc resources, knowledge of various population parameters and exploitation level of the population of wedge clams are needed. Population dynamics on wedge clam, Donax scortum is still unknown in Asia. FAO-ICLARM Stock Assessment Tools (commonly known as FiSAT) was used for calculating population parameters of this species. The specimens of D. scortum were collected from Padukere sandy beach at monthly intervals from February 2009 to January 2010. Asymptotic length (Lα) was 70.88 mm and growth coefficient (K) was estimated at 0.64 year−1. The sizes attained by D. scortum were 33.51, 51.17, 60.49, 65.40, 67.99 and 69.36 mm at the end of first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth years of age, respectively. Density of clams ranged from 2 ind. m−2 (June, July and August) to 8 ind. m−2 (December). Biomass (total weight) of clams ranged between 10.084 g m−2 (August) to 185.100 g m−2 (December). Total mortality (Z) for D. scortum was 3.20 year−1. Natural mortality (M) and fishing mortality (F) were 0.64 year−1 and 2.56 year−1 respectively. Exploitation level (E) was computed as 0.80, indicating that the fishery of D. scortum in the coastal waters of Karnataka is overexploited.
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