Abstract

Lebranche (Mugil liza) is the most important fish species for the artisanal fishery of Pedernales, north of the Orinoco delta, Delta Amacuro state, Venezuela; where annual catches reach approximately 82 tons. The commercial importance of this recourse, justified to examine the population biological and fishery indicators, in order to ensuring their adequate use and conservation. In this regard, the population structure and reproductive indices of the lebranche, were investigated during 2007. A total of 409 samples of this specie were caught with gillnets and transferred to the INIA research facilities in Tucupita; at the laboratory the fish were identified, sexed, and the lengths and masses measured. The sex ratio favored significantly the females (X²= 10.96). It was observed the predominance of individuals in the class of 60 to 65 cm TL, in a unimodal distribution; females were larger than males. The relationship between total length (TL) and total mass (TM) showed a good fit (R²= 0.91), grouping them into the general equation Mt = 0.0146 Lt 2.8727. The Kn demonstrated that the habitat was favorable for this species. In females, population maturity of the 50% was 59.68 cm TL, indicating that approximately 72% of the catches of this species was below the size at maturity. The highest values of gonadosomatic index occurred at size of 75 cm (P <0.001) during January and February for females and males in stage IV, showing that the period of greatest reproductive activity of the lebranche in Pedernales occurs during the first quarter.

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