Growth, Mortality and Stock Status of the Atlantic bumper Chloroscombrus chrysurus, Linnaeus 1766, from the Coastal Waters of Côte d’Ivoire

The present study aimed to assess the stock of Chloroscombrus chrysurus in the Ivorian coastal waters to support its sustainable management. Approximately 2,520 specimens were collected between July 2022 and June 2023. The fish were captured using beach seines and gillnets, then measured and weighed to the nearest millimeter and gram, respectively. Stock assessment was conducted using the Fisat software, which analyzed pooled length-frequency data. The estimated growth parameters for Chloroscombrus chrysurus were as follows: asymptotic length (L∞) of 22.05cm, growth rate (K) of 0.82 year⁻¹, growth performance index (ɸ') of 2.59, theoretical age (t₀) of -0.084 years, and life-span (Tₘₐₓ) of 3.57 years. Instantaneous fishing mortality (F) was estimated at 0.81 year⁻¹, while natural mortality (M) was 1.70 year⁻¹. The exploitation rate (E) was 0.32. The length at first capture (Lₒ₅₀) was 13.32cm, which is slightly lower than the length at first sexual maturity (13.42cm).The findings indicate that the Chloroscombrus chrysurus population in Côte d'Ivoire's coastal waters is at moderate risk of overexploitation. To mitigate this risk, it is crucial to monitor the fishery and to implement immediate measures, such as increasing the mesh size of the nets and the cod-end or bag of beach seines.