Growth rate and condition of a population of migratory common whitefish, Coregonus lavaretus (L.), from Oder estuary waters [RESEARCH ARTICLE]

Abstract

The aim of the study was to describe the biological and population characteristics of common whitefish, Coregonus lavaretus (L.), from Oder River estuary waters and to evaluate theoretical growth models for this species. Of the 100 fish analyzed, there was a greater share of males (56%), and individuals aged 2+ dominated (63%). The mean individual weight and total length was 957.6 g (range 401.0-2738.0 g) and 446.9 mm (range 358.0-605.0 mm), respectively, and the values of these parameters for the females were statistically significantly higher (P < 0.05). The analyzed fish exhibited substantially faster growth in the first years of life and slower annual growth in subsequent years. In comparison with data from the literature, whitefish length growth was significantly higher than in the 1950s, but similar to the results of studies from the 1980s.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:

M. Czerniejewski [+],
Department of Fisheries Management of Inland Water
West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin
Krolewicza 4, 71-550 Szczecin, Poland
Tel./Fax: +48914231061; e-mail: pczerniejewski@zut.edu.pl
A. Rybczyk
Department of Fish Biology
West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Poland